I hang mine in a greenhouse (with good air circulation) for two weeks before cutting the stems off. Each variety will then go into brown paper bags where they will remain in my kitchen pantry until used. I have had garlic last for over twelve months stored that way, still with good garlic flavor and pungency after that long of time.

Sounds good to me, thanks very much!!!

Mine goes into a dark shed, hanging in bundles of 5 for elephant garlic, or about 10 for regular garlic. I use a small fan at night, and open the door in the daytime when the sun will not shine on to the garlic. My neighbor hangs his in barns with no sunlight on the garlic. He is very careful to keep it protected when it is out of the ground.

Ken, doesn't your garlic get bitter with sunlight? Have you tried curing some in a dark shed and comparing the taste with the same variety cured in your greenhouse?

I have never noticed any bitterness in any of my garlics, even after having them "stored" in brown paper bags in my kitchen pantry for a full year. Don't forget, in the south where I live, 60-80% shade cloth is used over all greenhouses. Otherwise, every plant would be fried within a day.

Since I sell the vast majority of what I grow, I would imagine someone would have told me if the garlic they received was bitter. I have never had that happen.

Effective shade cloth!

Okay, we got our garlic planted today, a week later than last year. So glad it's done. This is what we planted this year, over 700!:

Aglio Rosso 70
Ajo Rojo 60
Asian Tempest 45
Burgundy 70
Chesnok Red 35

Chet's Italian 60
Chinese Purple 25
Creole Red 30
Duganski 30
Inchelium Red 70
Keeper 15
Pescadero Red 40

Okrent 65
Siberian 15
Susanville 70
Keeper (leftover) 10

That is a LOT of garlic Arlene! I had every intention of planting some this year, but it will have to wait until next year. I checked out the farmers market, and there are already 3 people selling garlic there. So, I'll just plant for myself. Need to enlarge my garden first though. If it stops raining in the next few days, we may get the fence put up for it, and then I can cover the lawn with cardboard and let it sit for the winter.

There are two other people who sell garlic at our market as well but we still sell it. And we carry more varieties. There's room for healthy competition. But if you just plant for yourself, you won't have to plant too much. Sounds like you are making progress at your new place. I wish we had more time to spend at OUR house but the farm chores keep calling us...

Being the new folks in the area, I don't want to step on any toes. The neighboring town, which has the farmers market, is very small, with about 3,200 people. The market is also very small. I figure those people have enough competition already, so I won't bother them. It's the funnest farmers market I've ever been to. Several kids sell stuff, which I love, and everyone has a great time visiting!

Understood. Sounds like a fun place though so even if you don't sell a lot, you can make great friends!

Every time I go to the feed store, I seem to run into the lady that sells handmade soap at the farmers market! I've bought a lot from her, and she gives all of her earnings to the Humane Society. The man that owns the feed store is a collection station for the Humane Society. The amazing thing is that she doesn't advertise it. She just does it out of the goodness of her heart. I've had fun seeing others around town that sell veggies, and it's nice talking to people and they remember that you bought an ear or two of corn from them! Loving this small town living!

I'm trying to get some winter chat going about cooking.
come on over and pitch in:
http://cubits.org/worldcuisine...

New to the garlic world & I hope I'm posting in the right group.
My garlic was sprouting in my fridge so I decided to plant it. It was doing good but now the tops are turning brown & crisp. The soil is still damp. Is there anything special I need to do.

Locations: Cental Florida

@mrsdemas, I grew an awful lot of garlics (over 20 varieties) back in Mississippi, but haven't even attempted to grow them here in Vero Beach. The vast majority of garlic are planted in late summer/early fall and need a real "winter" to do well. Florida simply doesn't afford the winter conditions necessary. When grown in the right conditions, garlic bulbs are dug up in May-June. I've personally never planted them now (when they should be harvested, not planted), so don't really have that experience to help you with yours.