How long can cured garlic bulbs be stored?

Published: Mai 03, 2025
Updated: Mai 03, 2025

How you grow garlic successfully does not end at harvest; storing it properly will protect your efforts. If stored properly, cured garlic bulbs will last six to eight months in optimal conditions. I once harvested 'Silverskin' softneck garlic and stored it in a cellar, and those bulbs lasted ten months while preserving the firmness and pungency of the cloves. The three considerations that contribute to how long garlic lasts are temperature stability, darkness, and airflow.

Climate Control

  • 55-65°F (13-18°C) prevents sprouting
  • >70% humidity risks mold
  • Avoid fluctuations exceeding ±5°F (±3°C)

Varietal Differences

  • Softneck varieties: 8-12 months
  • Hardneck varieties: 4-6 months
  • Elephant garlic: 3-4 months
Garlic Storage Performance Comparison
ConditionIdeal TempSoftneck60°F (16°C)Hardneck55°F (13°C)
ConditionMax DurationSoftneck12 monthsHardneck6 months
ConditionSprout RiskSoftneck
Low
Hardneck
High
Data from University of California Cooperative Extension

Curing quality dictates how successful the PL bulbs will be during storage after drying and curing are complete. Bulbs require at least 3 weeks at 80°F (27°C) for curing with constant airflow before they can be stored. I use box fans and mesh racks set up in my shed in Wisconsin, while bulbs that cure improperly will often last half as long. An easy way to test bulb readiness is to rub two bulbs together; they should not stick to one another at all.

Early Sprouting

  • Caused by temps >70°F (21°C)
  • Move to cooler area immediately
  • Plant sprouted cloves in pots

Bulb Softening

  • Discard affected heads
  • Check for hidden mold
  • Reduce humidity below 60%

Air-dry bulbs and store bulbs in mesh bags suspended from cellar rafters. Avoid plastic bins or sealed jars. They filter out ethylene gas. At my grandfather's farm, we used onion sacks and rotated our stock monthly. Ventilated areas will prevent condensation, a stealthy enemy of stored garlic.

To get weakly sprouted garlic to come back to life and be ready for planting it; soak garlic cloves in ice water overnight.To create garlic powder from softening garlic bulbs in storage and the recently soaked bulbs, dry in an oven at 115°F (46°C) for 8 hours.Each of the cloves you save from the garden is a part of next year's gardening potential, so be careful to treat it respectively.

Read the full article: How to Grow Garlic Successfully in Any Climate

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