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.
Reminder on Calculating Fertigation Rates for Plastic Mulches
Chuck Bornt, Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Eriophyid mites- micro-sourge of garlic
Crystal Stewart-Courtens, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Eriophyid mites are a post-harvest pest which can significantly lower the quality of garlic in storage. Article by Crystal Stewart and Frank Hay.
Garlic post-harvest handling year two results
Crystal Stewart-Courtens, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Presentations and Resources from 2019 Garlic School in Batavia
Crystal Stewart-Courtens, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Check out the presentations and resources from the Cornell Vegetable Program's 2019 Garlic School that was held March 20th, 2019 in Batavia, NY.
Allium Leafminer Spring Flight Update
Ethan Grundberg, Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
The spring flight of the new invasive insect pest, the allium leafminer, is coming to an end. However, the larval stage of the pest will remain active for a couple of more weeks and can cause significant damage to garlic, scallions, onions, and chives. Read more about how to continue to protect your spring allium crops and how to prepare for the fall flight.
Year one results of Fusarium Management Study
Crystal Stewart-Courtens, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
This paper discusses the cultural control trials conducted through a SARE funded Research and Education Grant. We examined the effects of raised beds, variety, and various mulches on yield, quality, and disease severity.
Lookout for Leek Moth
Amy Ivy, Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Leek moth adults emerge in mid April to mate and lay eggs. This year the first moths were caught in Essex on April 21. The larvae will hatch in a couple of weeks and can do considerable damage to garlic scapes so this is a good first place to look when scouting.
Be cautious when buying and selling onion transplants between growers in the infested areas. We have seen leek moth appear in new locations when infested plants were brought in from farms to the north.
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.
Early Season Garlic Fertility
Crystal Stewart-Courtens, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
The window for fertilizing garlic this spring is closing over the next couple weeks. Apply up to 50 lbs/A of quick-release nitrogen in a banded application to boost yields. Read on for more information about how microbes are releasing the N already found in the soil organic matter and in fall fertilizer applications.
Allium Leafminer Active in Southern Pennsylvania
Teresa Rusinek, Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
A new invasive insect pest in the Northeast known as the Allium leafminer (ALM), Phytomyza gymnostoma, damages crops in the Allium genus (e.g., onion, garlic, leek, scallions, shallots, and chives) and is considered a major economic threat to Allium growers. Originally from Europe, ALM was first detected in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in December of 2015 and in New Jersey and New York in 2016. As of fall 2017, ALM activity has been confirmed throughout eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, southeastern New York as well as Thompkins and Suffolk counties.
2018 Eastern New York Fruit & Vegetable Conference Vegetable Presentations
Presentations from the 2018 ENYCHP Eastern New York Fruit & Vegetable Conference held February 20th and 21st for the vegetable sections.
Growing Alliums for Storage & Long Term Sales Resource Guide
White Rot Fact Sheet
Crystal Stewart-Courtens, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
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.
Learn more in this White Rot Fact Sheet!
Fusarium Sample Submission form
Crystal Stewart-Courtens, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
During 2016 and 2017 garlic growers can submit samples for fusarium testing free of charge, courtesy of a SARE grant. Please fill out the form completely when submitting, as the information collected helps us to understand the impact of this disease on the industry.
White Rot Update
Crystal Stewart-Courtens, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
White Rot, Sclerotinia cepivorum, decimated the onion industry in New York in the 1930's before being eradicated through careful management. More recently, in 2003, it infected 10,000 acres of garlic in California, leading to the abandonment of some garlic fields and adoption of strict containment rules. White rot has been confirmed in Northeastern states over the last decade as well, with New York being one of the last to discover the disease. It is now confirmed in the ENYCHP region. Learn more here.
NOFA Garlic Presentation
Crystal Stewart-Courtens, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Presentation providing an overview to garlic production by Ed Fraser of Fraser's Garlic and Crystal Stewart.
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
Garlic Bloat Nematode Fact Sheet and Sample Submission Form
Crystal Stewart-Courtens, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
An updated sample submission form and fact sheet about Garlic Bloat Nematode.
Garlic Post-Harvest Trial Year One Results
Crystal Stewart-Courtens, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
A condensed version of a poster presented at the Saugerties Garlic Festival is attached as a PDF. The preliminary results of a two year trial are detailed.
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?
Garlic Weed Control
Crystal Stewart-Courtens, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
View the following document for the latest information for weed control in garlic, in both organic and conventional practices.
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.
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Upcoming Events
Ag Labor Road Show IX
December 1, 2025 : Save the Date! - Ag Labor Roadshow Webinar 1
In addition to the in-person Ag Labor Roadshow program in our region on December 9, two webinars are scheduled for December 1 and December 22. Each webinar will focus on different program content that is different from the in-person sessions. These webinars are an added benefit to program registration.
December 9, 2025 : Save the Date - Ag Labor Road Show In-Person Event (Greenwich, NY)
Greenwich, NY
The Roadshow delivers essential updates on labor law, regulations, and workforce best practices—tailored for farm owners, managers, and ag service providers. Sessions also focus on practical strategies to boost communication, strengthen retention, and build a positive workplace culture.
The in-person session for Eastern NY is December 9 - Elks Lodge, Greenwich, NY - full day in person session
Additional in-person sessions are:
December 10 - Hilton Garden Inn, Watertown, NY, December 17 - Cornell AgriTech, Geneva, NY, December 18 - Genesee Community College, Batavia, NY
December 22, 2025 : Save the Date! - Ag Labor Roadshow Webinar 2
In addition to the in-person Ag Labor Roadshow program in our region on December 9, two webinars are scheduled for December 1 and December 22. Each webinar will focus on different program content that is different from the in-person sessions. These webinars are an added benefit to program registration.
How to Obtain a Pesticide Applicator License
December 17, 2025
Thinking about becoming a certified pesticide applicator in New York, but aren't sure where to start? Join DEC representative Kenneth Klubek for a discussion on who needs to become a certified pesticide applicator, certification types, examination procedures, and recertification. Participants will have ample opportunity to ask questions during the program.
2026 Winter Cut Flower Webinar Series
January 6, 2026 : Session 1: Cut Flower Cost Calculator Updates and Woody Cuts
Session 1: Cut Flower Cost Calculator Updates and Woody Cuts
January 13, 2026 : Session 2: Perennials and Industry Trends
Session 2: Perennials and Industry Trends
January 20, 2026 : Session 3: Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation and Biochar
Session 3: Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation and Biochar
January 27, 2026 : Session 4: Beneficial Insects and Propagation Techniques
Session 4: Beneficial Insects and Propagation Techniques
February 3, 2026 : Session 5: Fungal and Insect Pests and Market Trends
Session 5: Fungal and Insect Pests and Market Trends