How to braid garlic starts with fully cured softneck garlic, clean bulbs, and pliable stems. After curing for at least 2 weeks in dry weather or 4 weeks in humid weather, trim the roots, gently remove the dirty outer layer, and braid the stems together one bulb at a time.
If you haven’t already read my tutorial on how to plant garlic, go there first for planting and growing, learn how to harvest garlic, and then jump back here to follow this step-by-step tutorial (photos and video included!)
Finally, store your finished garlic braids in a cool, dry place around 60 to 65°F with low humidity for the best keeping quality.

Quick Look at This Post
- 🕒 Time: 20 to 30 minutes per braid
- 🧄 Yield: 1 garlic braid, depending on how many bulbs you use
- ✂️ Tools: Scissors, twine, clean towel or soft brush
- 🧑🌾Tip: Only braid softneck garlic. Hardneck garlic stems are too stiff.
- 🌱 Storage: Hang in a dry pantry or kitchen away from direct sunlight. Use any damaged bulbs first.
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Watch Me Braid Garlic
What Makes Braided Garlic Different
Braiding garlic is both practical and pretty. Instead of trimming every stem and storing loose bulbs in a basket, you turn softneck garlic into a hanging harvest that keeps the bulbs organized, easy to use, and lovely enough to display in the kitchen.
Hardneck garlic is wonderful for flavor and scapes, but it does not braid well because the neck is too rigid. Softneck garlic, like Inchelium Red, has flexible leaves that can be woven together once the garlic is properly cured.
Curing Garlic

In the same way I teach how to cure onions, it’s important to fully cure garlic before storing. For best results, cure garlic in a warm, shaded area with good airflow, such as a covered porch, barn, or garage. Avoid direct sunlight, which can shorten storage life and damage the bulbs.
Properly cured garlic should have dry, papery outer wrappers while the stem still has enough flexibility to bend without snapping.
Here’s what to look for before braiding:
- Papery outer skins – The bulb wrappers should feel dry and crisp, not damp or fresh.
- Dry roots – The roots should be brittle and fully dried.
- Firm bulbs – The garlic heads should feel solid with tight cloves.
- Mostly dry stems – The stems should no longer feel green or juicy, but they still need some flexibility for braiding.
- No fresh moisture at the neck – The neck above the bulb should feel dry when squeezed.
Curing time is heavily influenced by humidity. In a dry climate, garlic may cure in about 2 weeks, but in humid or rainy weather, curing can take up to 4 weeks
If the stems become completely brittle before you braid them, they will crack and break apart. If the bulbs still feel moist or soft, they need more curing time before storage.
Materials You’ll Need

- Softneck Garlic - You’ll need softneck garlic because the stems remain flexible enough to braid. Choose bulbs that have been cured until the outer wrappers are papery and the stems are dry but still bendable.
- Scissors - Clean, sharp scissors work best for trimming the roots.
- Twine - Garlic braids are surprisingly heavy. Jute twine is ideal for securing the braid.
- Soft Brush - A soft brush or clean towel works well to remove dried soil without damaging the protective skins.
How to Braid Garlic Step-By-Step

Step 1: Cure the garlic first.
Let garlic cure for at least 2 weeks in dry weather or 4 weeks in wet, humid weather.

Step 2: Prepare the bulbs.
Use scissors to cut the roots close to the bulb.
Rub off dried soil with your fingers, a towel, or a soft brush.
Remove only the outer dirty layer. Leave the rest of the papery skin intact to protect the cloves.

Step 3: Start with three bulbs.
Place three bulbs together with the bulbs at the top and stems pointing down.
Secure them near the bulbs with twine. This gives your braid a firm starting point.

Step 4: Lay one new bulb in the center.
Place its stem down the middle and add that stem to the center section.

Step 5: Cross one side stem over the center.
Treat the garlic stems just like a regular braid.
Add the next bulb to the right or left. Place each new bulb beside the braid and always bring its stem into the center.

Step 6: Keep braiding one bulb at a time.
Add each new stem to the center section before crossing the side over.

Step 7: Finish the braid.
Once all bulbs are added, braid the remaining stems together.
Tie off the end. Secure the braid with twine and trim away any uneven stem ends.

Step 8: Hang to store.
Hang the garlic braid in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.
Troubleshooting
Why is my garlic braid falling apart?
Your stems may be too brittle, too short, or not tied tightly enough at the beginning. Start with three bulbs tied firmly together, and add each new stem to the center before crossing the braid.
Why are my garlic stems breaking?
The garlic may have dried too long before braiding. Softneck garlic should be cured, but the stems still need enough flexibility to bend without snapping.
Why is my garlic molding after braiding?
Mold usually means the garlic was not fully cured or the storage area is too humid. Remove any moldy bulbs, improve airflow, and store the braid in a dry area.
Why can’t I braid hardneck garlic?
Hardneck garlic has a stiff central stalk that does not bend well. Use hardneck garlic first in the fall, and save softneck garlic for braiding and longer storage.
Tips

- Dry Herbs Into the Braid - For a decorative and practical twist, learn how to dry herbs, and weave in sprigs like rosemary, thyme, oregano, or lavender while braiding. This creates an attractive kitchen display while keeping herbs handy for cooking.
- Create Seasonal Farmhouse Décor - Garlic braids also pair beautifully with dried flowers, onions, corn husks, and herbs in autumn displays, harvest tables, or homestead kitchens.
- Save the Best Bulbs for Seed Garlic - Choose the largest and healthiest bulbs from your braid and learn how to plant garlic for next season’s garlic crop.
- Use Smaller Bulbs First - Braids make it easy to see which bulbs are smallest or damaged. Pull those first for cooking and save the biggest, firmest bulbs for long-term storage.
- Sell at Farmers Markets or Farm Stands - Braided garlic is popular at local markets because it combines beauty and practicality. Customers often appreciate ready-to-hang garlic that stores well and looks attractive in the kitchen.
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Ways to Use Braided Garlic

A garlic braid is more than just a beautiful kitchen decoration. It’s one of the easiest ways to keep fresh garlic organized, accessible, and properly stored throughout the year.
The most practical use for a garlic braid is everyday cooking from scratch. Hang it near your cooking area and simply snip off a bulb whenever you need fresh garlic for soups, sauces, roasted vegetables, or homemade bread.
When grown organically, garlic is one of my top medicinal herbs to use in alternative medicine preparations. Check out how to make fire cider for a beginner-friendly home remedy.
A fresh garlic braid also makes a thoughtful handmade Christmas gift for gardeners, cooks, neighbors, or holiday hosts. Tie it with ribbon or tuck in dried herbs for a beautiful presentation.
FAQ’s
No, garlic braids work best with softneck garlic. Hardneck garlic has a rigid stem that makes braiding difficult.
Garlic should cure for at least 2 weeks in dry weather or up to 4 weeks in wet or humid weather. The skins should feel papery, and the stems should be dry but still flexible.
No, do not wash garlic before braiding. Moisture can shorten storage life and encourage mold. Rub off dry soil instead.
You can use as many bulbs as you can comfortably handle, but 8 to 12 bulbs is a good size for beginners. Larger braids get heavy and harder to manage.
Want to Grow More Than Garlic? Join the Backyard Gardening System

If you’re ready to grow, harvest, cure, and store more of your own food, my Backyard Gardening System walks you through the entire process step-by-step.
Inside this comprehensive online gardening course, you’ll learn how to:
- Plan a productive garden based on your climate and space
- Improve soil naturally for healthier harvests
- Grow more food in less space with succession planting and vertical gardening
- Harvest and cure crops for long-term storage
- Store and braid garlic and onions properly
- Use natural pest and disease control methods
- Extend your growing season with cold frames and crop extenders
The course also includes printable guides, instructional videos, and bonuses covering composting, fruit trees, and berry bushes. Whether you’re planting your first garden or trying to grow a year’s worth of food for your family, this system gives you a clear roadmap from seed to storage.















Amanda Zekany
Hi Melissa!!! I tried planting garlic at the end of Aug, it sprouted then the tops died and recently in last couple weeks it is growing again…I live in South central Pennsylvania and am in zone 7a, I believe sometimes I think it’s 6b?? Any advice on my garlic, do I let it go or bring it in, our weather is crazy, warm during day freezing at night but about to shift into winter time…thanks for any insight!
Ollie
It's best to plant garlic cloves at the end of the fall before the ground freezes, then they will come up in the spring and be ready for harvest when the tops start drying up and falling over.
Haley
Hi Melissa I love watching/reading your stuff! So helpful! Do you think you could do a quick video of how to braid? Thanks for all you do!