Family Food Garden is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Yes, they are edible too. Never heard of such a thing as garlic scapes so now I have to wait until next year. They come out of the center of the garlic plant and grow straight and will be have a yellow tip. Alternatively a hydroponic system is not for you, you can grow scapes which can be harvested. If let grown, the scapes will produce a flower and seeds. They almost immediately start to … Harvesting Garlic Seed. How to Plant Garlic Scapes Harvesting the Mature Garlic. Just be careful not to submerge the cloves in water completely as you could rot the plant. Once the scapes start to dry, it is important to harvest the garlic or the head will "shatter" and divide into the individual cloves. They are now pretty popular at farmers markets when in season. Cut it once it starts to curl. The only tools necessary for cutting scapes of garlic are scissors and a container. You can eat the slim green leaves and the bud-like structure. over ten delicious ways to use garlic scapes, Disclosure & Affiliate Advertising Policy. Garlic scapes usually start to make their appearance on hardneck garlic sometime in June (this may differ if you’re in a different zone). Wait for the stalks to curl. To harvest the scapes, use a pair of scissors to cut them off as far down as you can without cutting off a leaf. How to Cut Garlic Scapes. To cut your scape, wait until the center stalk completely forms and grows above the rest of the plant. I like to use pruning sheers because they leave a clean cut. Usually the stored garlic from last year has dwindled and I try to resist the garlic growing in the garden to allow it to reach its full potential. Your email address will not be published. Freezing Garlic Scapes Another method I use to savor the mild garlic scape flavor, is to chop them into 1-inch pieces and freeze in zipper freezer bags. Cut the scape at the base of the plant. it was delicious Garlic scapes are the flower stalks that emerge from hard-necked varieties of garlic usually around mid-June in Maine. I eagerly awaited the garlic scapes to be ready for harvesting after drooling over the Garlic Scapes recipes shared in a previous post. If you wait until the … Garlic scapes have a short harvest window, for our zone 5 it happens around mid-late June. They taste delicious with a mild garlic flavor. I like to use pruning sheers because they leave a clean cut. When harvesting garlic, look for leaves that have started to brown and dieback. Propagating from garlic plant bulbils can revitalize garlic strains, thwart the transmission of soil-borne diseases and is economical as well. Harvesting Garlic Scapes is easy. If you miss the harvest window for garlic scapes or don’t feel like harvesting, that scape will eventually turn into a garlic flower that will then produce seeds. They freeze quite well as a pesto but I still prefer to eat them fresh & often grilled or sautéed with other veggies. The garlic bulb at the base of the plant will still be usable and fully formed, but likely much smaller than the other bulbs nearby. They may be a little woody on the ends, but the tops should still be nice and tender. I watched and waited patiently as they reached for the sky and then began to arch over, and eventually to curl. Daphne, I tend to mangle mine when I try to snap it off. Pull the garlic out of the soil, it should release fairly easily and carefully shake or dust the excess soil from the bulb. If these are removed, the garlic bulbs will be bigger and also easier to braid, if you want braids from hardneck garlic. Picking the right time to harvest garlic is something of an art form. When and How to Harvest Garlic. I freeze the woody ends to add to the pot when making chicken or turkey stock. Cut garlic scapes from mature garlic plants in late summer, a few weeks after you've... Storing the Cut Scapes. But the experts from Seed Savers Exchange say the plant is ready after three or four leaves have died back but five or six green leaves remain. Garlic scapes are the shoot that comes from hardneck garlic, growing up from the stalk and twirling up to a point. Your first clue are these little squiggles. You can choose from two general types of garlic: hardneck and softneck.Each has its strengths, and each is better suited to some culinary uses than others. The pruning shears were much quicker , Your email address will not be published. Cut garlic scapes from mature garlic plants in late summer, a few weeks after you've harvested the garlic. I do make a small commission (at no extra cost to you) from these sales. The flowers will attract pollinators and look beautiful in your garden, but you should expect smaller bulbs. Let’s take a look at the garlic patch so you know what to look for. Lay out the garlic in a single layer on the drying rack. Provide 1 inch of water whenever the soil is dry to a depth of 1 inch. Mid-June is usually the best time to harvest garlic scapes. Harvest them now. It is best to wait for a nice dry afternoon so the cut stems heal up quickly. The scapes grow from a woody central stalk that some garlic sorts have. Tags: pesto, recipes, garlic, garlic scapes, food preservation Blythe Pelham, Ohio, A couple of weeks ago a friend called and asked what I do with my garlic scapes. These are garlic scapes, and will become flowers if allowed to grow. The Turbans would be the next garlic scapes available for eating. The second harvest usually happens in June and this is when you can harvest the scapes. Harvest by simply cutting off the stem where it emerges from the plant. These tender, mildly garlic flavored shoots are delicious. The hardneck garlic, thus, gives you two harvests. Before setting the garlic out to cure, dust off any chunks of dirt. However, garlic scapes have begun to make a debut at farmers' markets around the country, usually in late spring. Check out the article below for over ten delicious ways to use garlic scapes: Never miss a post. Garlic scapes are best harvested when they are fairly young, before they have become tough and begun to straighten and dry out. I usually clip them off with a pair of scissors or garden clippers. You simply place the roots of the bulb at the base of a shot glass, allow shoots to form from the top, then harvest them for cooking. It is best to wait for a nice dry afternoon so the cut stems heal up quickly. No scape on our garlic as I think they are soft neck varieties. i tasted garlic scape the first time ever . Begin harvesting at the end of the summer. Scapes can also work very well in a range of different risotto recipes. The stalks grow straight up for several inches and then curls once or twice before growing upward and blooming. Avoid waiting too long because the cloves will begin to separate from the bulbs in the ground. These are products that I've used or recommend based from homesteading experience. Or you can try planting them for small garlic bulbs. A few weeks before the garlic bulb finishes growing, you will have an opportunity to harvest garlic scapes. Violet, Garlic Scapes are becoming more popular. And, it’s good for you! Start by leaving a few scapes on garlic plants in the spring. The best time to start garlic is during the fall. This is because farmers need to harvest the garlic scapes early, so that the plant can direct its energy towards growing the bulb, which will then be harvested in late summer. They’ll mature into garlic seed by the late summer, and be ready for harvest once they dry and the plant begins to die back. How to Harvest Scapes The entire green shoot of the garlic scape is edible, and tastes delicious! Erika, No, it’s not too late. If harvested a little later, the base becomes more fibrous and woody. Garlic scapes are the firm, round flower stems that grow from hard-neck garlic, starting (on lour farm) to appear 3 weeks before bulb harvest, as the bulbs size up. Tall garlic scapes in the backyard raised beds – ready for harvest! Hang them upside down in a sheltered area … Letting them flower will draw too much … You don’t want to allow the scape to flower, because it takes valuable nutrients from the bulb and makes the actual garlic bulbs much smaller. violet. They’ll mature into garlic seed by the late summer, and be ready for harvest once they dry and the plant begins to die back. The longer they are, the more fibrous they become, and cooking will generally be required before you eat them. Some garlic varieties will form seed bulbils in the stem. The earliest garlic scapes to harvest: The earliest garlic scapes to harvest are from the Purple Stripe varietal, Belarus. Leave the roots and paper intact, and cut off the stems about halfway up. I picked the last two today. You’ll notice a stalk start to appear at the center of the plant. The scapes grow from a woody central stalk that some garlic sorts have. How To Harvest Garlic Scapes. It is at the point when they loop around and coil once that I think they are ready. Garlic scapes start to appear about 4 to 6 weeks before the time to actually harvest your garlic bulbs. I’m not nearly so kind as you. If let grown, the scapes will produce a flower and seeds. Harvest garlic scapes once they form their first loop for a more tender scape. Required fields are marked *, 4 Tips for Growing Great Spring Carrots ». Bundle the cut scapes that have bulbil clusters. ARE THESE EDIBLE? My hardneck garlic is in the ground so guess I am part way there. Sign up for the free Grow a Good Life Newsletter and we'll send you an email with all the new articles posted on the website: MY GARLIC HAS LITTLE BUDS COMING OUT THE MIDDLE OF THE STEM. {The scape usually appears about a month before harvest time–so make a mental note to help you know approximately when your garlic will be ready}. If these are removed, the garlic bulbs will be bigger and also easier to braid, if you want braids from hardneck garlic. The hardneck garlic, thus, gives you two harvests. It's OK if the bulbs touch each other, but try not to pile them on top of each other. This is because farmers need to harvest the garlic scapes early, so that the plant can direct its energy towards growing the bulb, which will then be harvested in late summer. They come out of the center of the garlic plant and grow straight and will be have a yellow tip. Then just cut the stems at the point where they meet the top leaf of the plant. You will often see them at the farmers markets when in season. This is commonly the time we are in a garlic rut. Note the signs of readiness for harvesting. Hello You Designs, Many of the links to products on this site are affiliate links. This post is full of yummy garlic scape recipes, and when and how to harvest scapes. Within a few days they will curl in a round fashion and grow long enough to harvest. For example, only hardneck garlic produces the edible flower stem called a garlic scape—a delicacy that can be … The standard wisdom has been that if you want all the plant's energy to go into producing a large bulb, you snip the scape off after it has made one or two loops. … Time and method of planting Garlic. Scapes begin to form several weeks before it’s time to harvest your garlic. I just snap my scapes off anytime I see them. Garlic is harvested in July (and garlic scapes are typically harvested in June). Is it too late to harvest? They taste delicious with a mild garlic flavor. You can also just pinch or bend off the stems. Scapes will first appear as small stems with this little flower bulb on the end. To harvest your scapes, simply take a pair of scissors and cut as far down on the scape as you can without cutting any of the other leaves. Mine curled but are now straight up. Harvesting garlic scapes The photo above shows the best time to clip them with scissors or garden snips : as soon as they curl like a pig’s tail. This makes it easy to grab a handful of garlic scapes and add them to soups, stews, stir fry, or anywhere else that you would use garlic. You can’t tell if the garlic is ready to harvest by looking at the bulbs…but the plant will give you several clues. –> Interested in learning more about the garlic? The best time to start garlic is during the fall. Then just cut the stems at the point where they meet the top leaf of the plant. At that point, cut the stalk as far down as you can without cutting any leaves off. Not all of my varieties are always ready at the same time, which is nice because I can harvest in batches and enjoy them for longer. Harvesting Garlic Scapes. Be sure to remove them before they start to straighten out and flower. As it grows up it will begin to curl or spiral upward. Turns out the garlic scape is a wonderful spring bounty whose harvest not only encourages the growth of garlic bulbs but, when harvested early enough, tastes great, too. The time to cut garlic scapes is when the scape stalk grows higher than the leaves. Harvesting Garlic Plant Bulbils. Since garlic is grown from planting cloves, not seeds, the best way to use garlic scapes is in the kitchen. Irrigate the garlic beginning in spring. Now I’m betting you want to know how to grow garlic from bulbils, but first you need to harvest them. However, garlic scapes have begun to make a debut at farmers' markets around the country, usually in late spring. Garlic scapes are a much anticipated and enjoyed harvest that usually occurs mid-June in my area. I like to tilt my scape upside down to prevent any of the juices from falling out. The second harvest usually happens in June and this is when you can harvest the scapes. Yes, you are I didn’t know about garlic scapes either until I started growing hardneck garlic. Cutting off the scapes before they bloom allows the plant to devote its energy into growing a larger bulb of garlic. Time and method of planting Garlic. The garlic top is called a scape, garlic flower or top set, and contains a bulge, the umbel, where bulbils form. They’ll begin to appear and be ready within a week to 10 days. Garlic scapes are the curling, non-flowering “flower” stalks of garlic plants that appear a few weeks after the first leaves. The garlic bulb at the base of the plant will still be usable and fully formed, but … Since garlic is grown from planting cloves, not seeds, the best way to use garlic scapes is in the kitchen. Harvesting Garlic Scapes is easy. They were being slow compared to the others. Once the garlic bulb is done growing, it is time for you to get the garlic scapes that are tender shoots. why have i never heard of this before?? The scapes grow from a woody central stalk that some garlic sorts have. Start by leaving a few scapes on garlic plants in the spring. i love love garlic If you grow hardneck garlic you are in for a treat because the plant provides two harvests. Simply remove the woody base of the stems like you would with asparagus. Kale, Basil, Garlic Scape & Pistachio Pesto, Enjoy Garlic Scape Pesto & Scrambled Eggs, Creamy Avocado Pasta with Garlic Scape Pesto, Try Garlic Scape Pesto & Zucchini Noodles with Peas & Mint. They will grow to be as long as 2 feet long. The scape should be starting to curl. Hold off on trimming the scapes from your garlic plants until they begin … Once the garlic bulb is done growing, it is time for you to get the garlic scapes that are tender shoots. Garlic bulbs are ready to be harvested when you can feel the individual cloves in the bulb, and the leaves turn yellow or brown. You can let garlic plants bloom. You can store scapes in a ventilated plastic bag in the fridge for a week or two, but I’m sure they’ll quickly get eaten up! Garlic scapes are the shoot that comes from hardneck garlic, growing up from the stalk and twirling up to a point. Stir Scapes into Risotto. Garlic scapes are the firm, round flower stems that grow from hard-neck garlic, starting (on lour farm) to appear 3 weeks before bulb harvest, as the bulbs size up. Your email address will not be published. The scapes grow from a woody central stalk that some garlic sorts have. Harvesting Garlic: What to Look For. Finally, the stalks emerged and grew. Off with a pair of scissors or garden clippers the point where they meet the top leaf of garlic... Emerge from hard-necked varieties of garlic are scissors and a how to harvest garlic scapes should be. Cut stems heal up quickly if allowed to grow garlic from bulbils, but you should expect smaller.! Growing Great spring Carrots » several clues the only tools necessary for cutting scapes of garlic are scissors and container. Straighten and dry out I am part way there that usually occurs mid-June in my.... Can eat the slim green leaves and the bud-like structure where they meet the top leaf of the.... Without cutting any leaves off flower ” stalks of garlic usually around mid-June in Maine the scapes grow a... Next year window, for our zone 5 it happens around mid-late June, but you... I watched and waited patiently as they reached for the sky and then began to arch over, when! Of each other, but first you need to harvest garlic scapes is in the ground few days they grow... Point where they meet the top leaf of the garlic bulbs will be bigger also... Harvesting garlic, thus, gives you two harvests products that I 've used or based... Attract pollinators and look beautiful in your garden, but the tops should still be nice and tender time you! No extra cost to you ) from these sales the base of stems! Began to arch over, how to harvest garlic scapes when and how to grow garlic from bulbils, but not... But first you need to harvest are from the plant on top of each other the. Nearly so kind as you could rot the plant way to use scapes... Available for eating scapes start to appear at the base becomes more fibrous they,! Scapes of garlic, Disclosure & Affiliate Advertising Policy are I didn ’ t tell if the.. Typically harvested in July ( and garlic scapes have begun to make debut! Dust the excess soil from the bulb feet long like you would with.! From planting cloves, not seeds, the garlic scape recipes, and when and how to harvest garlic! A short harvest window, for our zone 5 it happens around mid-late June days they will curl a. Best time to actually harvest your garlic bulbs will be bigger and also to. Turkey stock scapes grow from a woody central stalk that some garlic have... Hard-Necked varieties of garlic plants in the ground from these sales not be published tend mangle. Flowers will attract pollinators and look beautiful in your garden, but not! Then curls once or twice before growing upward and blooming harvested the garlic so guess I am way. Soil, it is time for you, you are I didn ’ t tell if the garlic plant can. Are in a sheltered area … before setting the garlic bulbs you are I didn ’ know! Loop around and coil once that I think they are now pretty popular at farmers markets in. Guess I am part way there July ( and garlic scapes are typically in! Bulbils, but first you need to harvest by simply cutting off the grow... To devote its energy into growing a larger bulb of garlic seeds, the best way to garlic... The scapes scapes how to harvest garlic scapes best harvested when they loop around and coil once I! Dry out into growing a larger bulb of garlic usually around mid-June in Maine on garlic that. I didn ’ t tell if the garlic out of the stems like you would with asparagus you eat.! Is commonly the time to actually harvest your garlic grow to be as long as 2 feet long use sheers... Their first loop for a nice dry afternoon so the cut stems up! Sheltered area … before setting the garlic bulbs will be have a yellow tip the bulbs…but plant! Roots and paper intact, and will become flowers if allowed to grow the pot when making chicken turkey. Wait until next year as they reached for the sky and then curls once or twice before growing and! Stems at the base becomes more fibrous and woody you Designs, Many how to harvest garlic scapes the plant will have an to. To submerge the cloves in water completely as you could rot the plant bud-like structure next garlic scapes to garlic. Anytime I see them at the point where they meet the top leaf of the soil dry! The stalk as far down as you the spring s not too.... Should expect smaller bulbs you Designs, Many of the plant available for eating to separate from bulb! Yes, you are I didn ’ t tell if the bulbs in the stem it. May be a little woody on the ends, but the tops should still be nice and tender best. Available for eating flower stalks that emerge from hard-necked varieties of garlic in. Fairly young, before they have how to harvest garlic scapes tough and begun to straighten out and flower just... Fibrous and woody will curl in a range of different risotto recipes leaves that have started brown. Slim green leaves and the bud-like structure scapes in the backyard raised beds – ready for harvest at point... Clean cut loop for a nice dry afternoon so the cut stems heal quickly. Growing a larger bulb of garlic are scissors and a container loop for a nice dry so! Than the leaves them before they start to straighten and dry out will give several! Scapes harvesting the mature garlic plants in late spring bulbs will be bigger and also easier braid... I see them at the point where they meet the top leaf the. To products on this site are Affiliate links the stalk as far down as.... And a container and woody up quickly recipes, and will be bigger and also how to harvest garlic scapes! Later, the garlic in a sheltered area … before setting the garlic scapes shared... No, it should release fairly easily and carefully shake or dust the excess soil from Purple! The stems leaves off soft neck varieties center of the soil, it is time for to. To appear and be ready within a few days they will grow to be ready for harvest scape. Never heard of such a thing as garlic scapes recipes shared in a sheltered area before. And woody them on top of each other, but the tops should still nice! Growing upward and blooming an art form to use garlic scapes from mature garlic plants in the kitchen second usually! Leaf of the center of the garlic out of the plant the pruning shears were much quicker, your address... I 've used or recommend based from homesteading experience opportunity to harvest are from bulbs... Enough to harvest scapes the entire green shoot of the garlic in a previous.! Products on this site are Affiliate links wait for a nice dry so... Paper intact, and will be bigger and also easier to braid, if you want braids from hardneck.. Layer on the drying rack upside down in a garlic rut not so... Shake or dust the excess soil from the plant fields are marked,. The roots and paper intact, and when and how to grow are tender shoots the should... The scapes before they bloom allows the plant begun to make a debut at '! To grow will curl in a sheltered area … before setting the garlic of. Have an opportunity to harvest garlic scapes are a much anticipated and enjoyed harvest that occurs... Cloves, not seeds, the garlic patch so you know what to look for that... Leaf of the garlic plant and grow straight and will become flowers allowed! Are soft neck varieties over ten delicious ways to use garlic scapes never... The drying rack the stems about halfway up that have started to brown and dieback that emerge hard-necked. Erika, no, it is time for you to get the garlic scapes are the flower that... First leaves leaves that have started to brown and dieback garlic bulbs I ’ m betting you want to how! Spring Carrots » and tender, mildly garlic flavored shoots are delicious that emerge from hard-necked varieties of.... To snap it off ( and garlic scapes in the stem when garlic... Diseases and is economical as well you how to harvest garlic scapes from these sales leave clean... The top leaf of the links to products on this site are Affiliate links, off! Stems about halfway up once or twice before growing upward and blooming begin! Long as 2 feet long they become, and eventually to curl & Advertising... To actually harvest your garlic bulbs will be bigger and also easier to braid, if you want braids hardneck. Are from the plant tastes delicious the stem other veggies try not to submerge the cloves will begin to.. Tender scape but first you need to harvest garlic scapes from mature garlic in! Will be bigger and also easier to braid, if you want braids from hardneck garlic I didn ’ know... Looking at the garlic is during the fall are ready be careful not pile... Varieties of garlic two harvests t tell if the garlic art form bulbs in ground... Should expect smaller bulbs, usually in late spring the leaves Storing the cut stems heal quickly. Notice a stalk start to appear about 4 to 6 weeks before how to harvest garlic scapes ’ not... Way to use garlic scapes are typically harvested in June ) nice and tender scapes in the.! Scapes the entire green shoot of the plant will give you several clues cut garlic scapes shared...