How to Grow Garlic Scapes [Most Easy Ways]

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If you grow hardneck garlic (Allium sativum), there’s no doubt that you’re in for a treat! Hardneck varieties of garlic are just one of the few plants with two harvests, offering distinct tastes and textures from each harvest. Garlic scapes can be harvested first during late spring or early summer, while bulbs are later reaped at the end of summertime. Enjoying both flavors all within one season – what could be better?

In late spring, hardneck garlic varieties offer an irresistible treat – scapes! This vibrantly green yet mild-tasting flower stems are the first fresh produce of the season to be found at farmers’ markets. After harvest and with minimal preparation, their tender texture and delicately garlicky flavor make them a beloved ingredient amongst chefs and foodies alike. Don’t miss out on this seasonal delight!

Are you looking to cultivate garlic scapes? You’ve stumbled upon the perfect place! This article will give you all the information you need to start growing these delectable greens.

What is a Garlic Scape?

If you’re curious about what a garlic scape is, it’s the hard, central flowering stem or flower stalk that grows from certain varieties of hardneck garlic. Softneck types don’t make these shoots but yield more cloves per bulb; therefore, one can harvest its scapes by trading off fewer cloves for each bulb of this variety!

As the garlic bulb nears harvest, a unique flower stalk known as the garlic scape shoots up from the crop. This stalk rises several inches and then curls one or two times before growing upward and eventually blossoming.

If left to blossom, the scapes will eventually produce tiny garlic bulbils that can then be replanted. It might appear easier to cultivate garlic from these minuscule bulbils; however, it takes a much longer time than growing hardneck garlic with cloves.

Typically, these scapes are removed before they can blossom. This is an essential component of garlic cultivation; if left to flower, the plant will expend its energy on this process instead of developing a large and flavorful bulb. So by trimming the scapes off during harvest season, we allow for the plant to redirect that energy into forming larger and more delicious bulbs – making it undeniably worthwhile!

Not only do garlic bulbs reap the rewards of their trimmings – foodies and chefs alike savor the lengthy, aromatic stalks in delectable spring dishes. Similar to asparagus stems, Garlic scapes possess a texture that is ideal both for raw consumption and robust cooking methods such as roasting, grilling or sauteing. With its long curling green bean shape when harvested, these scapes truly make any dish an appetizing one!

Uses

Culinary Uses

Scapes are edible and are a foodie favorite that can be used as a vegetable or to make pesto. Garlic scape pesto can be made by replacing the basil with raw scapes. We highly recommend using neutral-tasting oil so that the natural flavors of garlic scapes can shine through. They can also be tossed with olive oil and grilled or chopped and added to stir-fries or creamy pasts.

Ornamental Uses

Garlic scapes make a fabulous addition to a flower bouquet.

Health Benefits

Like most other members of the allium family, garlic scapes provide numerous health benefits. For instance, garlic scapes are high in certain compounds that may help to reoxygenate blood, protect and maintain healthy tissue and organs.

They also contain allium compounds, which are thought to help protect against osteoarthritis. Garlic scapes also contain certain enzymes responsible for breaking down bone tissue, thus protecting against osteoarthritis. In addition, garlic scapes are high in antioxidants, have anti-cancer properties, and prevent oxidative stress that may cause damage to the kidneys and liver.

What Do They Taste Like?

Garlic scapes taste like a unique blend of scallion, green onions, and garlic. However, they are usually less fiery and have a fresher, greener taste than garlic bulbs. The texture of garlic scapes is similar to that of asparagus.

How to Grow Scapes From Garlic Cloves

Growing garlic scapes is relatively easy. There is nothing more you need to do to grow garlic scapes other than to plant garlic. The formation of scapes is a natural part of the garlic growth cycle and part of the plant’s reproductive process. Garlic scapes are the first tender green shoots on garlic, which grow into bulbils. Provide good care to the mother plant and watch scapes spring for the curly tendrils. The steps involved in growing garlic scapes include:

How to Plant Garlic Scapes in the Garden

Garlic grows best in areas that receive at least six hours of sun each day. We highly recommend planting your garlic in the fall for two main reasons:

Garlic cloves need a cold period to trigger bulb development
Fall planting gives the cloves time to set roots before winter

Land Preparation

Garlic prefers nitrogen-rich, sandy, or loamy soil with good drainage and a pH of 6.0 – 8.4. Prepare a well-drained, compost-enriched seedbed. Raised beds work well for garlic cloves. You can also opt to plant them directly in the soil.

Propagate Garlic

You can propagate garlic from the bulbs you’ve just harvested. Before planting, break the bulbs into cloves a few days before planting but keep the paper husk on the individual cloves.

Plant Your Garlic Cloves

Plant four to six weeks before the ground freezes for the winter. This will allow the cloves to achieve good root growth before the ground freezes. Make rows that are 6″ apart in your bed. Put the garlic cloves 1-2 inches deep with the tip facing up and 2-4 inches apart. Gently cover the cloves with 1-2 inches of soil and water well.

Mulch the Bed

Once you are done planting your cloves, top the bed with two to three inches of shredded straw or leaves.

Water Deeply

Give the garlic bed a deep watering to ensure the newly planted cloves have all the moisture they need to sprout.

Growing Garlic Scapes in Containers

You can also grow your scapes in containers, planters, or pots. The diameter of the container depends on how much garlic you want to grow, but it should be at least 8 inches deep.

To grow garlic in containers, use a fresh standard growing medium with three-quarters high-quality potting mix and one-quarter compost. Also, add in a fertilizer like a granular fish or all-purpose vegetable garden fertilizer. Space the cloves two to three inches deep and 3-4 inches apart.

Put the container on a deck or patio where it receives plenty of direct sunlight. Water the container regularly and fertilize it every two to three weeks with a liquid organic fertilizer.

Caring for Your Garlic Crop

Although garlic is a fairly low-maintenance crop, you will want to put in some effort to encourage the largest and tastiest bulbs. Here are a few maintenance tips you should follow:

Provide Sufficient Moisture

If the weather in your area is hot and dry, deeply water your garlic bed every seven to ten days. Water-stressed plants do not produce big bulbs.

Pull out Weeds

Do not let grassy or broad-leaved weeds compete with your garlic plants for moisture and nutrients. Instead, pull out weeds as they appear. If you mulched the bed after planting, weeds shouldn’t be much of an issue.

Feed Regularly

Garlic plants are heavy feeders and appreciate rich organic soil. Feed the soil with compost in spring and nitrogen-rich organic fertilizer like fish fertilizer or alfalfa meal. This promotes healthy foliage growth, which in turn helps the plants form large bulbs.

Around late May or early June, depending on the hardneck garlic variety and your location, you will notice a stalk growing from the center of your garlic plant. If allowed to grow, the scape will form a coil.

Common Garlic Scape Diseases

Although the pungent aroma of garlic means it is fairly pest-resistant, it is not entirely free from destructive creatures. For example, your garlic scapes are susceptible to leaf miners, which damage the scapes, and wheat curl mites which cause twisted, stunted growth.

Nematodes are another huge problem that eats both the scapes and the garlic bulb, causing a slow death to your crop. If you are comfortable using commercial pest-control measures, apply a pesticide to your plant to control insects. Rotate the crops annually if you prefer a more natural pest control measure.

Should You Cut Garlic Scapes?

Whether or not to cut scapes off your garlic plant is an individual decision. Many gardeners believe that scapes, if left to grow, will stunt the growth of your garlic bulbs by redirecting energy into the production of garlic seeds. This may result in the production of small bulbs with equally small cloves. So it is best to remove them when they appear. Your garlic bulbs can double in size in the last month of growth.

That said, you can opt to leave them and allow them to mature so you can harvest the bulbils for future planting. There are several advantages to letting garlic scapes mature and replanting the bulbils that develop.

For starters, planting garlic from bulbils is an effective way to increase your planting stock without sacrificing edible cloves. It also allows you to plant garlic stock that is homogenous to the mother plant.

Overall, when considering whether to cut or grow scapes, consider the clove size you’d like to have. If your goal is to grow monstrous garlic, you will likely want to remove the scapes.

How to Harvest Garlic Scapes

Harvesting garlic scapes is easy. When the scapes are just starting to poke above the leaves, they are tender enough to eat raw. Although the twists and turns look wonderfully exotic, they become spicier and more fibrous as they grow, requiring peeling and gentle cooking before eating.

Ideally, it would be best to harvest your scapes when they are about 10 inches tall. Harvest garlic scapes once they form their first loop for a more tender scape. Cut the stem to the point where they meet the top leaf of the plant. If you can, use a running sheer as they tend to leave a clean cut.

How to Store Garlic Scapes

Garlic scapes do very well in the crisper and can last for a long time with proper preservation. If you plan to use them sooner, you can place the scapes in a jar with a couple of inches of water, the same way you’d display flowers, and keep them on the counter for a few days. However, if you want to use them for longer, here are 3 ways you can preserve your garlic scapes:

Garlic Scape Pesto

Pesto provides an effective way to preserve the mild flavor of garlic scapes. Once made, freeze the pesto. Then, to enjoy, thaw the pesto and use it as a dip, pasta sauce, or even pizza topping.

Freeze Your Garlic Scapes

Another way to savor the mild garlic scape flavor for longer is to chop them into 1-inch pieces and freeze them in zipper freezer bags. This makes it easy to grab a handful of garlic scapes and add them to soups, stir fry, stews, or anywhere that you would use garlic. Scapes hold up really well to freezing and remain firm and fresh for long.

Canning Garlic Scapes

Yes, just like anything else, you can also pickle your garlic scapes. Cut them into equally sized lengths and pickle using your favorite pickle recipe.

What Are Garlic Shoots?

As garlic plants make their way into the world in springtime, they bring bright green shoots – a flavorful and nutritious addition to your plate. Whether you enjoy them raw or cooked like any other vegetable, these garlic shoots are packed with vitamins A and C and trace minerals that provide various benefits. Plus, depending on which variety you choose, the taste can vary from mild to slightly spicy!

Springtime brings an opportunity to add a delicious delicacy – garlic shoots! Spice up your salads, sandwiches, stir-fries, and soups with this unique treat. Dried or fresh, these garlicky green onion treats are perfect for any kitchen creation and will disappear within a few weeks as the plant begins producing bulbs instead of shoots. Seize the chance now to savor garlic shoots before they’re gone until next season!

Garlic Scapes FAQs

How Are Garlic Scapes Different From Ramps?

Ramps, also known as wild leeks, can sometimes be confused with garlic scapes because they tend to be available in early spring. However, ramps are their own plants, unlike scapes, which are the stem of the garlic plant. Also, they taste like leeks and onions.

Is Green Garlic the Same as Garlic Scapes?

No. Green garlic is a young garlic plant that is harvested before maturity. They have tender leaves and are harvested before the garlic bulbs develop. They also have a milder flavor than scapes. However, green garlic can be substituted for green garlic and vice versa.

Where Can I Find Garlic Scapes?

Garlic scapes have a short season and can be found in late spring to early summer at farmer’s markets, gourmet grocers, specialty markets, and grocery stores in the fresh produce section. You can also find scapes at Asian markets, where they are sold in bundles.