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Harvesting Garlic Scapes | A Complete Guide For When & How To Harvest Garlic Scapes

The process of harvesting garlic scapes is relatively simple, but it’s important to follow a few simple steps to enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious garlic scapes to use in your cooking.

If you’re a garlic lover, you may be familiar with garlic scapes – the curly, green shoots that emerge from garlic plants in late spring. With a little bit of knowledge and care, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of garlic scapes AND bulbs…two harvests from one garlic plant. These scapes not only add a delicious flavor to your meals, but they can also be harvested to promote the growth of the garlic bulbs themselves.

A Few Notes About Garlic Scapes

Garlic scapes are a delicious and versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. When it comes to harvesting garlic scapes, it’s important to know the difference between hardneck and softneck garlic. Hardneck garlic produces thick + woody scapes, while softneck garlic doesn’t produce a scape at all.

Some varieties of hardneck garlic include: Russian Red, Music, Metechie, and German White to name a few. Varieties of softneck garlic include: Inchelium, California, Silver Rose, and French Red.

Garlic grows well in USDA zones 2-6, with some varieties being more cold-hardy than others. It is generally recommended that they have 10 weeks of exposure to cold. This cold stretch is known as vernalization. Garlic prefers well-draining, loose soil and should be planted in full sun for best results. The number of days to maturity varies depending on the variety of garlic. Planting garlic in autumn will give you fully mature heads in around 8 months.

Tips + Tricks For a Great Garlic Scape Harvest

  • When harvesting garlic scapes, it’s important to cut /pull them off at the base of the stem before they become woody with a fully developed flower. Once the garlic flower has formed, less energy will go down to the bulb, resulting in a smaller garlic head. Removing the garlic scape helps promote the growth of the garlic bulb.
  • When harvesting garlic scapes, make sure to grab the stem as close to the base as possible and give it a gentle twist. This should cause the scape to snap off easily.
  • If you’re planning to plant garlic in your garden, it’s important to provide your garlic with the necessary vernalization period before planting. Vernalization is simply giving seeds a cooling period before germination. Most people plant garlic in the fall and allow it to have a cool period during the winter months. By doing so, you’ll be giving your garlic the best possible chance for success and ensuring a bountiful harvest of delicious bulbs.

Best Time To Harvest Garlic Scapes

When it comes to harvesting garlic scapes, timing is key. You’ll want to wait until the scapes have grown to about 10-12 inches long and have started to curl. This typically happens in late spring (May) or early summer (June), depending on your location and the variety of garlic you’re growing.

It’s important not to wait too long to harvest the scapes, as they can become too woody and tough to eat. On the other hand, if you harvest them too early, they may not have developed their full flavor. By waiting until the scapes are just right, you can enjoy their delicious garlicky flavor and promote the growth of the garlic bulb itself. Once the garlic scapes start to become large enough to harvest, it is a good idea to harvest 2-3 times per week for up to three weeks to ensure you snag those scapes at the best time! So keep an eye on your garlic plants in the spring, and when those scapes start to curl, it’s time to get harvesting!

How To Know When Garlic Scapes Are Ready To Be Picked

  • Keep your eyes out for a curling stem that has not yet straightened out.
  • Bend the stem to see if it has started to become woody and tough. If it is still flexible, it is ready to be picked.
  • Garlic scapes will usually be 8-10 inches in length when they are ready to harvest.
  • A small nodule is visible but no flowers have formed.

How To Store Fresh Garlic Scapes

Refrigerate

Storing fresh garlic scapes in the refrigerator is a great way to keep them fresh and tasty for longer. To do so, start by placing your garlic scapes in a plastic bag. You can use a produce bag or a regular plastic zip-top bag, just make sure it’s sealed tightly. Next, store the bag of garlic scapes in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. The crisper drawer is designed to help maintain humidity levels, which will help keep your garlic scapes fresh. It’s best to use your garlic scapes within a week of storing them in the refrigerator for optimal freshness and flavor.

Freeze

Freezing garlic scapes is a great way to preserve them for future use. To freeze garlic scapes, start by washing and trimming the scapes to remove any tough or woody parts. Then, chop the scapes into small pieces, about 1-2 inches in length. Next, spread the chopped scapes out on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer for about an hour. This will help prevent them from sticking together when you store them. Once the chopped scapes are frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. Be sure to label the container or bag with the date so you can keep track of how long they’ve been in the freezer. Garlic scapes will stay fresh in the freezer for several months. When you’re ready to use them, simply thaw them out in the refrigerator overnight. Frozen garlic scapes are great for adding flavor to soups, stews, and stir-fries.

Dehydrate

To start, wash your garlic scapes and trim off any tough or woody parts. Then, chop the scapes into small pieces, about 1-2 inches in length. If you’re using a dehydrator, arrange the chopped scapes on the trays in a single layer, making sure they don’t touch. If you’re using an oven, spread the chopped scapes out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Set the dehydrator or oven to a low temperature, around 135°F, and let the scapes dry for several hours until they are crispy and dry to the touch. This can take anywhere from 6-12 hours depending on your equipment and the humidity level in your area. Once the garlic scapes are fully dried, remove them from the dehydrator or oven and let them cool completely. Then, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.

Pickle

If you’re looking for a new and delicious way to enjoy garlic scapes, you might want to try pickling them! Pickled garlic scapes are a tangy and flavorful addition to salads, sandwiches, and more. Urban Farm And Kitchen has a great small batch recipe.

Related : Quick + Crunchy Old Fashioned Fermented Dill Pickles

Frequently Asked Questions About Garlic Scapes

Is elephant garlic really garlic?

No! Elephant garlic is actually a type of leek.

What is vernilization?

Vernalization is a process that some plants, including garlic, undergo in order to produce a bulb. In the case of garlic, vernalization involves exposing the garlic cloves to cold temperatures for a period of time before planting. This helps stimulate the growth of the garlic bulb and ensures a good harvest. The temperature required for vernalization in garlic is typically between 32-50°F (0-10°C), and it usually takes around 10 weeks to complete the process.

What part of the scape do you use?

Use the whole scape as pickles, sauteed with butter, and to add flavor to your favorite dishes, dips and for garlic scape pesto.

What are garlic scapes?

Garlic scapes are the curly, green shoots that emerge from garlic plants in the spring. These scapes are actually the flower stalks of the garlic plant, and they can be harvested for their delicious garlicky flavor.

Exactly How To Harvest Garlic Scapes- Printable

Garlic scapes tied with white string and a brown tag.

How To Harvest Garlic Scapes | When & How To Harvest Garlic Scapes

Active Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

The process of harvesting garlic scapes is relatively simple, but it’s important to follow a few simple steps to enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious garlic scapes to use in your cooking.

Materials

  • Garlic Scapes

Tools

  • Garden Snips (optional)

Instructions

  1. When it comes to harvesting garlic scapes, timing is key. You’ll want to wait until the scapes have grown to about 10-12 inches long and have started to curl. This typically happens in late spring (May) or early summer (June), depending on your location and the variety of garlic you’re growing.
  2. When harvesting garlic scapes, make sure to grab the stem as close to the base as possible and give it a gentle twist. This should cause the scape to snap off easily.
  3. Give them a quick cold water rinse before using fresh or storing/ preserving for later. For specific instructions on refrigerating, dehydrating, and freezing check out the full recipe post.

Notes

Make sure that your garlic scapes are at their prime harvest time.

  • Keep your eyes out for a curling stem that has not yet straightened out.
  • Bend the stem to see if it has started to become woody and tough. If it is still flexible, it is ready to be picked.
  • Garlic scapes will usually be 8-10 inches in length when they are ready to harvest.
  • A small nodule is visible but no flowers have formed.

Once the garlic scapes start to become large enough to harvest, it is a good idea to harvest 2-3 times per week for up to three weeks to ensure you snag those scapes at the best time!

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Harvest Ready Garlic Scapes Recipes

Garlic scape pesto in two jars.

Garlic Scape Pesto

When in doubt, make garlic scape pesto! Serious Eats has an awesome recipe. Grab it here!

Garlic scape butter surrounded by crusty sourdough slices.

Herb Butter With Garlic Scapes

Mix up your favorite herbs including finely diced garlic scapes for a delicious compound butter. Check out this easy recipe. Don’t forget to slather it on top of some Simple Bread Machine Sourdough!

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