If you are growing hardneck garlic (Allium sativum ophioscorodon), you will notice long, curly flower stalks emerging in late spring or early summer. While these green shoots are edible, removing them is a critical step to ensure your plant puts its energy into growing a massive bulb instead of a flower. This article explains the timing and technique for harvesting scapes to optimize your garlic production.
Identifying the Scape
As temperatures rise in USDA zones 3 through 8, your garlic will send up a central stalk called a scape. This stalk will begin to curl, often forming a complete loop. It is important to distinguish the scape from the flat leaves; the scape is round, firm, and eventually develops a small, teardrop-shaped bulb at the tip, which contains the developing seeds.
Why Removal Matters
By removing the scape, you stop the plant from moving its resources into seed production. Left unchecked, the plant will prioritize the flower, leading to smaller, less dense bulbs. When you snip the scape, you essentially force the garlic to redirect that stored energy back down into the root system to swell the bulb.
Pro tip: Snip your scapes as soon as they form that first tight curl; waiting too long allows the plant to start draining energy prematurely.
The Harvesting Technique
Removing the stalk is simple and requires only a sharp pair of garden shears or a clean knife. Follow these steps to ensure you do not damage the plant:
- Wait for the scape to curl at least once. This ensures it is developed enough to be easily grabbed but not so old that it has become woody.
- Use a sharp, sterilized blade to snip the stalk as close to the top of the leaves as possible without cutting into the leaves themselves.
- Keep your cuts clean; a jagged wound can invite pests or rot into the neck of the garlic plant.
Enjoying Your Harvest
Do not discard your trimmings! Garlic scapes have a mild, delicious garlic flavor. Use them in stir-fries, blend them into pesto, or roast them whole on the grill. They provide a tasty bonus crop while you wait for the final harvest.
Once the scapes are removed, keep your soil consistently moist until about two to three weeks before you plan to harvest your bulbs.