As garlic matures, irrigation should cease otherwise bulb rot will occur. Weed control is essential for good crop development. Currently there are no herbicides registered in Saskatchewan for post emergent control of broadleaf weeds. This leaves cultivation, hand picking and hoeing as the only viable alternatives for broadleaf weed control. Deep cultivation close to the roots should be avoided to reduce chances of root damage.
Seed borne viruses and fungi have the potential to reduce plant vigour and yields.
Both may be present in seed material. Good quality seed should be free of most fungi but viral diseases are more widespread and unfortunately the only means of dealing with viral diseases is through viral indexing which is a costly procedure, involving tissue culture propagation of the garlic stock. When garlic is mature, leaf tops will begin to dry, discolour and bend towards the ground. If harvesting by hand, use a fork to loosen the soil and facilitate lifting. If harvesting is delayed too long after the tops have died back, the bulbs may rot.