holes in garlic!

[Michelle]

Hi

We dug up our garlic recently and left it on the plot to dry, but earlier this week when I picked it up, several bulbs had holes in.

There's just one hole in the bulb, looks to me like a bird has pecked at them.

So, I'm wondering what it could be, whether there'll be anything nasty lurking inside and whether they will not store now?

Any thoughts much appreciated!

Michelle

[nick the grief]

I wouldn't store it Michelle as it has been damaged. I would guess that it's something like a keel slug maybe or wireworm & it has just had a munch.

The rest of the bulb may be OK so use these first.

[Michelle]

Thanks Nick, as there's a few damaged shall I break them up and separate the cloves (chucking any bad ones) or just leave them whole?

Next question - what do you recommend I do with all this garlic I need to use?!! I'm going to stink... maybe I'll try and do some garlic bread.

[nick the grief]

Shouldn't grow it

What you could do is break the cloves off , mash them up & put them in Ice cube trays then freeze it. The ones without any damage to them will keep for ages.

[JennieAtkinson]

Thanks for that Nick. I keep meaning to ask if anyone has a good storage idea for garlic. I used to get "Cheats Garlic" before I started growing it and wondered if anyone knows how to do that - is it chopped garlic and olive oil?

Will freeze some, it sounds easier.

[Slug]

I was told that if you plait the garlic that it will store for up to 6 months if hung up. I never usually keep it for that long as I love garlic and eat it all before the 6 months is up....

Stinky ole me!

[roitelet]

You could try making some pesto with the damaged cloves. I made some last year and put it in the freezer in small pots. Smashing in the winter!

[vicki]

recipe please? that sounds scrummy!