Hobby gardeners have a few weeks to harvest the wild garlic. Because after flowering, it is better not to pick the weeds. Read here why the flowering time heralds the end of the season and what to consider when harvesting!
Harvest time
Spring not only attracts with warmer temperatures, because many plants are also beginning to sprout. The wild garlic season also falls in spring, although in some regions it begins as early as March. The exact start of the wild garlic season, however, depends on various factors. These include, among other things, the regional climate and the weather situation. Because: The milder the winter, the more the weeds can be harvested. Ever
The more northerly the location is, the later the harvest is possible. The harvest time extends over 6 to 8 weeks, whereby hobby gardeners should consider the following:Hobby gardeners should consider the following:
- Best harvest time until the beginning of May
- Very good taste
- Pleasant intensity
Why not harvest later?
The harvest time for wild garlic usually ends with the onset of flowering, which is why the season usually lasts until the beginning of May. After flowering, it can still be harvested, but this is only recommended to a limited extent. Because after flowering, the leaves become more fibrous and the taste migrates to the wild garlic flowers. This has to
The result is that the weeds lose a lot of their taste. It is poisonous - even after flowering - but not, which is why it can in principle still be consumed.
Tips for the harvest
Those who want to harvest the popular weeds only need a cloth bag and a sharp cutting tool. The latter is essential, as the leaves should always be carefully cut off and never torn out. This ensures that the cut is as clean and small as possible so that the plant can regenerate quickly. In addition, the following should be observed when harvesting:
- Cut only 1 - 2 leaves per plant
- Plants can regenerate and spread better
- If possible, only collect from large stocks
Wild garlic may generally be picked, but not everywhere! Harvesting is prohibited in nature reserves and natural monuments.
In addition, it should be noted that the crop is on the list of endangered species in some federal states and therefore harvesting is also prohibited. Among other things, the weeds are classified as follows in some federal states:- Threatened with extinction: Brandenburg and Hamburg
- Extremely rare: Bremen
- Potentially endangered: Schleswig-Holstein
Distinguish wild garlic from lily of the valley
Wild garlic and lily of the valley are visually similar, which is why they are often confused when harvesting. However, this is quite dangerous, because in contrast to the forest garlic, lilies of the valley are poisonous! In order to avoid confusion, the supposed forest garlic should always be checked for certain characteristics that distinguish it from the poisonous lilies of the valley:
- Underside of sheet: frosted
- Odor: typical garlic smell
- Root: onion
Info: The Herbstzeitlose and the spotted Aaron's staff are also often confused with the forest garlic.
