8 Pieces of Equipment for Processing Garlic Harvests on Small Farms

Harvesting a bountiful garlic crop is incredibly rewarding, but the real work begins once those bulbs leave the soil. Proper curing and processing dictate whether your harvest lasts through the winter or rots within weeks. Equipping your small farm with the right tools ensures every bulb is handled efficiently, preserving quality and maximizing market value.

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Preparing Your Workspace for the Garlic Harvest

The transition from field to curing shed requires a dedicated, well-ventilated workspace protected from direct sunlight. Raw garlic bulbs are highly sensitive to sunburn and excess moisture immediately after harvest. Setting up a clean, dry staging area before pulling a single bulb prevents bottlenecks and keeps the harvest moving smoothly.

Air circulation is the single most critical factor in preventing mold and fungal diseases during the initial drying phase. A covered porch, a well-ventilated barn, or a shaded high tunnel equipped with fans works best. Lay out your tools, tables, and storage containers in a logical flow: receiving, cleaning, trimming, and hanging.

Broadfork – Meadow Creature 14-Inch Broadfork

Pulling garlic directly from hard-packed soil can tear the delicate outer wrappers or snap the stems right off the bulbs. A broadfork loosens the earth around the root zone, allowing you to lift the entire plant effortlessly without slicing into the cloves. This preserves the protective skin, which is vital for long-term storage.

The Meadow Creature 14-Inch Broadfork stands out because of its all-steel, virtually indestructible construction that handles heavy clay soils without bending. Its long tines penetrate deep below the garlic root system, providing maximum leverage to lift entire rows at once.

• Tine length: 14 inches of heavy-duty steel
• Frame width: 20 inches for efficient bed coverage
• Weight: Approximately 22 pounds for effortless soil penetration

Because of its weight, using this tool requires some physical stamina, but the weight itself does most of the work pushing into the ground. It is perfect for growers committed to low-till soil health, though it may be overkill for those working in extremely loose, sandy raised beds.

Trimming Shears – Felco 310 Harvesting Snips

Once garlic is cured, the dirty, stringy roots need to be trimmed back to present a clean product for market or storage. Standard scissors dull quickly and hand pruners are often too bulky to get close to the bulb base without nicking the skin. Dedicated harvesting snips allow for fast, surgical precision.

The Felco 310 Harvesting Snips feature slender, stainless steel blades that easily reach between the roots and the base of the bulb. The ergonomic handles and gentle spring action prevent hand fatigue during long hours of processing hundreds of bulbs.

• Blade material: Stainless steel to resist rust and sap buildup
• Design: Needle-nose tips for pinpoint accuracy
• Safety lock: Easy one-handed thumb lock

Garlic sap is incredibly sticky and will gum up the blades quickly, requiring frequent wipes with rubbing alcohol. These snips are designed for fine detail work, so trying to cut thick, woody hardneck stems with them will damage the blades; keep them strictly for roots and soft foliage.

Bypass Pruner – Felco 2 Classic Hand Pruner

Hardneck garlic varieties produce tough, woody central stems that must be cut cleanly before storage or sale. Using weak shears on these fibrous stalks leads to jagged tears that can let in pathogens, while also straining your hands. A heavy-duty bypass pruner cuts through thick stems like butter.

The Felco 2 Classic Hand Pruner is the gold standard for a reason, featuring hardened steel blades and forged aluminum handles that deliver immense cutting power. The sap groove prevents sticking, and the rubber shock absorbers protect your wrists from repetitive impact.

• Cutting capacity: Up to 1 inch diameter
• Blade type: Bypass for clean, non-crushing cuts
• Serviceability: Every single part is replaceable

While these pruners are incredibly durable, they require regular sharpening and oiling to maintain their legendary performance. This is an essential investment for anyone processing hardneck garlic, but if you exclusively grow softneck varieties for braiding, you can skip this tool entirely.

Cleaning Brush – Carlisle Sparta Bench Brush

Washing garlic with water after harvest is a recipe for rot, as moisture gets trapped under the outer skins. Instead, dry soil must be brushed away gently once the bulbs have cured. A dedicated cleaning brush sweeps away dirt and loose skins without puncturing the protective wrappers.

The Carlisle Sparta Bench Brush features dual-textured bristles that are firm enough to dislodge stubborn clay but gentle enough not to scratch the garlic skin. The ergonomic plastic block handle is easy to grip and resists moisture and bacteria buildup.

• Bristle material: Non-absorbent polyester
• Handle: Solid plastic block for easy sanitizing
• Size: 8-inch brush face for quick coverage

Brushing must be done only after the garlic is fully cured, as wet soil on freshly harvested bulbs will just smear and stain the wrappers. This brush is perfect for growers who want clean, professional-looking garlic without risking moisture-driven decay.

Wire Shelving – Regency 4-Shelf Chrome Rack

Curing garlic requires constant, multi-directional airflow around every single bulb to ensure even drying. Laying garlic flat on solid tables or wooden floors invites mold on the bottom surfaces where moisture pools. Wire shelving allows air to circulate freely from all sides, including underneath.

The Regency 4-Shelf Chrome Rack provides the perfect balance of ventilation, strength, and vertical space optimization. The open-wire design maximizes air movement, while each shelf can support hundreds of pounds of heavy, freshly harvested garlic.

• Shelf capacity: Up to 600 pounds per shelf
• Material: Chrome-plated steel for durability
• Adjustability: Shelves adjust in 1-inch increments to accommodate different bulb sizes

Chrome shelving can rust over time if exposed to extreme humidity or outdoor elements, so it should be kept inside a dry barn or curing shed. This setup is ideal for small farms looking to maximize their curing footprint by going vertical rather than spreading crops across valuable floor space.

Sisal Twine – SGT KNOTS Natural Sisal Twine

Hanging garlic in bundles of ten to twelve bulbs is one of the most space-efficient ways to cure a harvest. Standard plastic twine is often too slick, causing bundles to slip and crash to the floor as the stems shrink during the drying process. A rough, natural fiber twine grips the drying stems securely.

SGT KNOTS Natural Sisal Twine is the ideal choice because its coarse, hairy texture bites into garlic stems and holds knots tight even as the plants lose moisture and shrink. It is completely biodegradable, meaning you can toss the scraps right into the compost pile after processing.

• Material: 100% natural agave sisal fibers
• Strength: High tensile strength with minimal stretch
• Eco-friendly: Chemical-free and fully compostable

The rough texture that makes this twine grip so well can irritate bare hands after tying dozens of bundles, so wearing light gloves is highly recommended. It is perfect for traditional hanging setups, though growers using flat-rack curing methods won’t need it.

Hanging Scale – Brecknell ElectroSamson Scale

Accurate weight measurements are essential for tracking crop yields, managing inventory, and pricing your garlic for market. Trying to balance bulky bundles of garlic on a standard flat kitchen scale is frustrating and highly inaccurate. A hanging scale allows you to weigh entire mesh bags or tied bundles cleanly and quickly.

The Brecknell ElectroSamson Scale is a highly durable, battery-powered digital scale designed for farm conditions. It features a heavy-duty metal hook, a comfortable hand grip, and a clear digital display that locks in the weight once stabilized.

• Capacity: Up to 99 pounds (45 kg)
• Accuracy: Dual graduation for precise readouts
• Power: 9V battery with auto-off feature to save power

The digital screen can be difficult to read in direct, blinding sunlight, so it is best used in the shade of your processing shed. This scale is indispensable for any farm selling garlic in bulk or pre-packaged bags, though backyard hobbyists with tiny harvests might get by without one.

Mesh Bags – Harris Seeds Garlic Storage Bags

Once garlic is cured and cleaned, storing it in solid plastic or paper bags restricts airflow and traps ambient humidity, leading to premature sprouting or mold. Breathable mesh bags keep the bulbs dry, visible, and well-ventilated during transport and storage. They also make portioning and pricing simple for retail sales.

Harris Seeds Garlic Storage Bags are specifically designed for root crops, featuring a durable, open-weave plastic mesh that does not tear under the weight of heavy bulbs. They come with built-in drawstrings for easy tying and hanging, providing a neat, professional presentation.

• Material: Heavy-duty, breathable plastic mesh
• Closure: Integrated drawstring for easy sealing
• Capacity: Available in sizes holding 5 to 10 pounds of bulbs

These bags are meant for fully cured garlic; putting freshly harvested, damp garlic into them will still result in rot if there is no active air movement. They are a must-have for market vendors who want to offer pre-sorted, clean portions of garlic to customers.

Best Practices for Curing Garlic Successfully

Curing is the process of slowly drying the garlic’s outer skins and roots to seal in moisture and protect the cloves from decay. Never wash the garlic before curing, and leave the roots and stems fully intact during this phase. The plant continues to draw energy from the leaves and roots as it dries, which enhances the final flavor profile.

Hang the garlic in bundles or lay it out in a single layer on wire racks in a dry, shaded location with excellent cross-ventilation. Avoid direct sunlight, which literally cooks the bulbs and ruins the flavor. The curing process typically takes three to four weeks, depending on humidity levels, and is complete when the roots feel stiff like brush bristles and the outer wrappers are paper-dry.

How to Store Your Garlic for Long-Term Freshness

Once cured and trimmed, garlic must be stored under specific conditions to prevent it from drying out or sprouting. The ideal storage temperature is between 55°F and 60°F with a relative humidity of 60% to 70%. Avoid storing garlic in refrigerators, as the cold temperatures trigger the bulb’s internal mechanism to start sprouting once brought back to room temperature.

Keep the bulbs in breathable containers like mesh bags, wire baskets, or open cardboard boxes in a dark, cool pantry or cellar. Never store garlic in sealed plastic bags or airtight containers, which trap moisture and cause rapid molding. Regularly inspect your stored garlic and immediately remove any bulbs that feel soft or show signs of decay to prevent the spread of rot.

Maximizing Your Garlic Crop Value and Shelf Life

To get the most value out of your harvest, sort your garlic by size and quality immediately after curing. Save your largest, healthiest bulbs to use as seed garlic for the next planting season, as larger cloves produce larger bulbs. Sell or consume the medium-sized bulbs first, as they tend to store exceptionally well and are the most popular size for everyday culinary use.

Any damaged, nicked, or undersized bulbs should be set aside for immediate consumption or processed into value-added products like garlic powder, pickled garlic, or garlic salt. This ensures that no part of your hard-earned harvest goes to waste. By handling your garlic with the right tools and techniques from harvest to storage, you preserve its quality, command higher prices, and enjoy homegrown garlic all year long.

Investing in the right processing equipment transforms the garlic harvest from a chaotic chore into a streamlined, rewarding system. With proper curing, cleaning, and storage tools, your small farm can minimize waste and deliver a premium product. Treat your harvest with care, and your garlic will reward you with exceptional flavor and shelf life for months to come.