How to Store Garlic So It Lasts for Months
How to store homegrown garlic: best temperature and humidity, braids and mesh bags, how long hardneck and softneck garlic keep, and freezing or drying garlic.
Store cured garlic in a dark, dry, airy place at around 13–16 °C (55–60 °F) with moderate humidity. Avoid the fridge for whole bulbs: cold, damp conditions make garlic sprout. Stored well, softneck garlic keeps 9–12 months and hardneck 4–6 months.
Best Conditions
- Temperature 13–16 °C (55–60 °F) for home storage.
- Relative humidity about 60–70%.
- Darkness and good air circulation: mesh bags, baskets, braids.
- Keep bulbs whole; separated cloves dry out within weeks.
How Long Garlic Keeps
| Form | Shelf life |
|---|---|
| Softneck, whole bulbs | 9–12 months |
| Hardneck, whole bulbs | 4–6 months |
| Separated cloves | 1–3 weeks |
| Peeled cloves in fridge | about 1 week |
| Frozen (chopped or whole cloves) | up to a year |
Other Ways to Preserve
- Freezing: peeled cloves or minced garlic in oil cubes (freeze immediately).
- Dehydrating: slice and dry at low heat, then grind into powder.
- Pickling: cloves in vinegar.
Never store garlic in oil at room temperature: it can allow botulism to develop.
More Garlic Guides
- How to Grow Garlic: The Complete Guide
- Why garlic bulbs are small
- Garlic fertilizer
- Garlic diseases and pests
Frequently Asked Questions
Should garlic be refrigerated?
Not whole bulbs; the fridge encourages sprouting. Peeled cloves can go in the fridge for a few days.
How long does homegrown garlic last?
Softneck up to a year, hardneck about 4–6 months.
TarlaTapan guides focus on practical, field-tested growing advice. Corrections and suggestions are welcome at info@tarlatapan.tr.