Garlic Cloves, Pink?

Question

Just harvested some garlic I planted in my garden when the plant wilted and died, and when I peeled the head apart to check it(first time growing garlic), the cloves themselves were pink-streaked? It wasn’t pink garlic that I planted, and I planted it in a mix of potting soil and peat on top of heavy clay soil. Anyone have any idea what exactly this means for my garlic growing?

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Answer 1

This can happen for a few reasons. Most often, this is due to there being too much fertilizer in the soil close to harvest time. It can happen when the soil is too acidic as well. (Peat is highly acidic) In some cases, some types of rot will cause this, as in the case of contact with sulfur reducing bacteria. Wet soils will be to blame in that case.

Here is an article that will offer some good tips on the care of Garlic:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/garlic/growing-garlic.htm