Normally, the garlic crop is harvested in 120 to 150 days after its sowing. In cold weather, especially in states like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, it takes a little longer period for the crop to mature. How to recognize the matured crop for harvesting? After the full growth of the garlic bulbs, the growth of the leaves will stop. The leaves change to yellow. Also the branch-tops dry up. The neck of plants near the soil soften and leaves fall to the ground due to softness. A small knot develops in the neck. It is called as 'garlic burst'. • The garlic should be harvested before the complete drying of the leaves. Garlic should be removed with a small spike or shovel. • After removal of the bulbs, separate out the bulbs damaged by shovel or spike. Similarly, segregate the bulbs according to its grade, shape, size etc. • While the garlic leaves are little wet, make a bunch of similar size of 20 to 30 bulbs and tie its leaf braid. After this, dry these bunches under the tree or in the corridor having open sides, for 10 to 15 days. Most of the farmers do not braid the leaves and bundle them near the neck of the leaves and keep the leaves free. Dry the bundles in shade of a tree, keeping them in an upright position. Then keep them in the storage house. Some of the farmers, after removing the garlic crop, bundle them and place them vertically in the farm and then put soil on all four sides of it. They dry the wet garlic in this condition for 10 to 15 days in the farm itself. After drying, the dry leaves are cut off, then bulbs are segregated according to their grade, shape and size etc. Such segregated crop is filled in the jute bags and sent for sale. Storage