Garlic needs to be divided every year to produce nice big heads, otherwise each clove in the head grows the next year and you have a dozen plants within a few inches of eachother - which is much too close for each to grow a 2-3" diameter head. When the leaves are about half brown dig up one on the edge and see if it is ready. The wrapper around the clove should be paper-like, not succulent. When it's ready, dig up the whole bunch and replant seed cloves in the spring. If you have the room you can replant them immediately and they'll come up in the fall/spring.

Yes, you can harvest early. The bulbs may not have reached full size, and they man not keep as long as usual. However, they should grow just as well when you replant them. Catherine

makalu, Thanks for the info. This is the first year I've grown garlic and, although I've read the standard growing guides, it's nice to get info from experienced growers. My season in Wisconsin tends to get pushed back since I'm right next to Lake Michigan which keeps us cooler in the spring and warmer in fall (after the water warms up), so I'll probably be harvesting a little later than you. I haven't seen anything that looks like scapes yet. The squash and melons I planted are actually a bit to the north of my garlic patch, so there shouldn't be a problem with disturbing the roots. But I know how fast they can vine once they get going and they'll probably grow around some of the garlic and so I'll have to be careful around them when I'm digging it up. Thanks again. Mike

The farmer's market here in Duluth had several different home grown varieties. I bought 4 different bulbs and separated them and planted about 32 cloves. Nice cuz I didn't have to buy 1/2 pound of one variety or pay shipping. Just hope they grow.