Garlic
Garlic production has increased significantly in New York over the last few decades, and garlic is now considered to be an important niche crop. In 1992, only 11 acres of garlic were reported in New York, but by 1997 the number grew to 153 acres and by 2007 it again doubled to 306 acres. Garlic is currently estimated to be a $20 million dollar crop. New York is the fifth largest garlic producing state in the country, and ten percent of all New York vegetable farms report growing garlic. That is a higher percentage of growers than for broccoli, cabbage, carrots, lettuce, or onions.Garlic is sold at farmers' markets from mid-summer to the fall throughout the state. Garlic is also sold at festivals which take place throughout the Northeast from August through October. New York's largest festival is in Saugerties, in September. Festivals are important outlets for growers and important agrotourism events for the cities that host them.
Varieties of garlic grown in New York tend to be different from those you will find in the grocery store. New York is known for excellent 'hardneck' garlic, which has a hard stalk running through the center of the bulb. The flavor of our hardneck garlic is often considered to be stronger and more unique than the flavor of 'softneck' varieties found in the grocery store and grown primarily on the West Coast or in China.
Relevant Event
2025 Finger Lakes Auction Winter Growers Meeting
January 2, 2025
Penn Yan, NY
A New Pest for the New Year in Western NY: Allium Leafminer is Here to Stay
Christy Hoepting, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Cornell Vegetable Program
In the fall of 2023, Allium leafminer (ALM) decimated leek crops in Orleans, Genesee, and Niagara Counties in New York. After its first detection in North America near Lancaster, PA in 2015, this invasive insect pest originating from Europe quickly established itself in southeastern New York, New Jersey, western Massachusetts, Delaware and Connecticut. It was only a matter of time that it would become established throughout New York. We are now assuming that ALM will occur throughout the 14-county Cornell Vegetable Program region in 2024. And, unfortunately, it is here to stay. Here is what Allium growers need to know.
Nitrogen Requirements in Garlic: 50 lb/A is Enough!
Christy Hoepting, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Cornell Vegetable Program
The results of two years of research (two trial locations per year) on effect of applied nitrogen on garlic yield are summarized in this article. Different rates of spring-applied nitrogen and seed size are taken into consideration, as well as plant tissue and soil analyses for nitrogen. In eight side-by-side comparisons, we never saw a yield response between 50, 100 and 150 lb/A of applied nitrogen.
2019 Garlic School: Fusarium Management, Eriophyid Mite Trial, Bloat Nematode
Christy Hoepting, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Cornell Vegetable Program
The 2019 Garlic School featured final results from a 2-year study which focused on understanding and managing Fusarium disease of garlic. CVP Specialists, Christy Hoepting and Robert Hadad participated in this project, along with Dr. Frank Hay, Plant Pathologist at AgriTech, and CCE Vegetable Specialists, Crystal Stewart (ENYCHP) and Sandy Menasha (CCE Suffolk Co.). Presentations from the meeting are now available!
Be on the Lookout for Southern Blight
Ethan Grundberg, Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Southern Blight (Sclerotium rolfsii) was found on golden storage beets this winter in Dutchess County. The fungal pathogen is fairly new to New York and poses a threat to a wide range of vegetable crops. Early detection and proper diagnosis are key to managing this disease.
Video: New York State Produce Auctions
Currently, there are 8 produce auctions in New York State. These auctions are aggregation points that allow local farmers to sell their produce in wholesale lots to buyers from across the region. To document the economic impact of produce auctions on agriculture, local businesses, family farms, and produce buyers, the Cornell Vegetable Program worked with Harvest New York to survey top sellers and buyers.
A new Cornell Vegetable Program video shares general information about produce auctions, how buyers and sellers use the auctions to expand their businesses, and how local communities benefit from them.
Crop Cooling and Storage
Robert Hadad, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Cornell Vegetable Program
On-Farm Cold Storage of Fall-Harvested Fruit and Vegetable Crops is an in-depth look at the planning and designing cooling for late season and winter storage but it also is useful for general cooling as well. This was written by Scott Sanford, Distinguished Outreach Specialist, UW-Extension, and John Hendrickson, Outreach Program Manager, Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
White Rot Fact Sheet for Garlic
White rot is a worldwide problem in allium production, and has resurfaced in the New York garlic industry after a long period of eradication. Positive samples were collected in 2016 from the Hudson Valley, Central and Western New York, indicating that the disease is widespread. As with other soilborne diseases, white rot can be persistent and devastating. However, careful management can reduce inoculum, and because the disease is spread by seed and soil, it is also possible to prevent its spread into uninfested fields.
Garlic Production in the Northeast (from NOFA NY's Winter Conference, 2015)
WNY garlic farmer Ed Fraser of Fraser's Garlic Farm and Cornell Cooperative Extension's Crystal Stewart presented at the NOFA-NY Winter Conference. Their presentation titled, Intermediate Garlic Production, focused on more advanced techniques to deliver a consistently high-quality garlic crop, including cover cropping plans, fertility management, weed control techniques, post-harvest handling, and seed selection. Information was based on research results, on-farm trials and experience.
Organic Fertility Recommendations for Garlic Production
Crystal Stewart-Courtens, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
A brief article on fertility research conducted through a SARE-funded research grant
Harvest Considerations for Garlic
Crystal Stewart-Courtens, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
If leaves aren't the best indicator of maturity, how else can you tell?
Leek Moth Control and Information
Christy Hoepting, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Cornell Vegetable Program
Leek Moth was detected in four home gardens in Plattsburg, NY in 2009. It was first detected in Ontario, Canada in 1997 where it has become problematic especially to small-scale, organic growers in eastern Ontario and to commercial producers in western Quebec, who have limited insecticides available to them.
Leek Moth continues its spread to more farms and gardens across the U.S., a new comprehensive website is available to aid in the identification and management of this pest. This Cornell website features maps of the distribution of leek moth, protocols on insect monitoring and identification, best management practices for farms and home gardens, a photo gallery of damage symptoms and a comprehensive resource section.
Visit the Leek Moth website.
Spring Garlic Recommendations
Crystal Stewart-Courtens, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Garlic fertility and weed control recommendations for March through May.
Asparagus
Beets
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Cucumbers
Dry Beans
Eggplant
Ethnic Vegetables
Garlic
Horseradish
Kohlrabi
Leeks
Lettuce / Leafy Greens
Melons
Mushrooms
Onions
Parsnips
Peas
Peppers
Potatoes
Pumpkins / Gourds
Radishes
Rhubarb
Rutabaga
Snap Beans
Squash - Summer
Squash- Winter
Sweet Corn
Sweet Potatoes
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Turnips
Upcoming Events
2025 Finger Lakes Auction Winter Growers Meeting
January 2, 2025
Penn Yan, NY
At this grower-focused meeting, ag industry experts will discuss pest control in vegetables, weed management strategies and best practices, seed germination, an introduction to foliar nutrient uptake in vegetables, and grouping flowers by growth needs. Plus we'll hear from a grower panel from Kutztown Produce Auction, moderated with NYS specific pest control from Judson Reid.
Intro to Food Safety and GAPs Training
February 19, 2025
via Zoom,
This virtual workshop will serve two purposes:
- For produce farms just interested in learning about farm food safety, this program will introduce principles and best practices.
- For produce farms look for a GAPs (Good Agricultural Practices) training needed to meet buyer demands for audit/certification, this program will provide that as well.