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Post by oliverman on Aug 4, 2015 19:04:25 GMT -5
Mom had a great crop of garlic this year, but she is just now digging it. The papers are pretty well gone. What is the best way to preserve it, as there is way too much to use fresh.
Think I can get some of it to keep long enough to plant in October, or should I plant some early?
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Post by restless on Aug 4, 2015 19:15:27 GMT -5
You can peel the garlic and freeze it in whole cloves in jars.
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Post by desertwoman on Aug 4, 2015 19:36:36 GMT -5
Refrigerate what you want to plant. That should help hold it until October.
It might also help with storing some to eat.
Have you had good experiences freezing it, restless? I had read it turns bitter and some pesto I froze, with garlic in it, did have a bitter taste. So I was convinced.
I'd love to hear you've had good outcome!
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Post by James on Aug 4, 2015 19:58:54 GMT -5
Hmmmm....... I would be tempted to just put in an onion bag and hang it up in the garage. I don't suppose it is going to start growing as long as its kept dry?
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Post by restless on Aug 4, 2015 20:27:09 GMT -5
I have. I don't grow it myself. But I do buy from the local farmers when in season and freeze. I have not found it bitter, personally. I also make pesto with my basil and put garlic in it and freeze that. I also do not find that bitter. Maybe it is a personal taste thing?
Edited to add that I don't freeze a lot of raw garlic because I don't have infinite space. Maybe I use it before it gets bitter? I do make and freeze a lot of pesto with garlic in it and I have had that for a long time without it tasting bitter to me.
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Post by Tomato Z on Aug 4, 2015 20:53:13 GMT -5
You should be able to keep enough to plant in October as long as you keep it dry. Last year we dehydrated about 4 small trays by slicing each clove in 2 or 3 pieces. Much easier to keep 'fresh' in Ball jars for a whole year. Easy to add to dishes, too.
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Post by OregonRed on Aug 5, 2015 10:50:11 GMT -5
or vacuum seal the cloves for the freezer?
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Post by lisaann on Aug 5, 2015 19:12:24 GMT -5
I don't know how much garlic you are talking about, 50 heads 1,000 heads?
But I think I would be tempted to plant a bit of it now,
if the space is available to do so,
and if you can't use it all..........well, there is nothing BETTER than an experiment when the opportunity presents itself.............
Just a lisaann thought.
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Post by oliverman on Aug 5, 2015 23:59:25 GMT -5
Thanks for the ideas. I will try freezing some and put some in the dehydrator. We dug about 10 lbs this evening. Mom already dug 15-20 lbs. Getting close to done.
I want to plant 50-100 cloves this fall. I hung the best heads in the garage for that purpose as James suggested. I may put a bit in the ground early. I suspect that it is like winter wheat, which is more susceptible to winterkill if allowed too much top growth in the fall.
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