Elephant Garlic Scape Removal Timing For Bigger Bulbs

Garlic plants produce long, curly flower stalks known as scapes that produce garlic-flavored edible stems before blooming to direct their energy towards producing larger bulbs. To optimize yield from these edible scapes harvest them before they bend or bloom for maximum harvest efficiency and to boost bulb production.

Timing of harvesting garlic scapes can make or break your final garlic harvest, especially with hardneck varieties like those used here.

Wait for the Scapes to Curl

While they might appear unsightly, scapes are actually part of a garlic plant’s natural reproductive cycle. To direct its energy towards producing large bulbs, the plant sends up curly flower-like stems called scapes which can be harvested and eaten just like scallions with more garlic flavor! If allowed to grow unchecked, scapes would divert energy away from underground development of bulbs which will ultimately produce smaller, less desirable bulbs come harvest time.

Garlic scapes are edible and delicious treats that combine firm asparagus-like firmness with mild garlic flavors. Not only that, they are an indicator that the garlic plant is nearing completion and ready to produce its bulb, as they only appear once it reaches certain sizes.

Ideal harvest time is as soon as scapes begin to curl, as this allows for sweeter and tender harvesting while waiting until straightening will lead to tougher scapes.

Timing will depend on your climate and weather conditions; ideally, harvest them just before their scapes uncoil and capsules begin to expand. Some gardeners like to remove the scapes as soon as they appear while others wait until they have completed one or two full loops before taking action; either way, harvest before they grow too long and form flowers or bolt.

Remove the Scapes as Soon as You See Them

Hardneck garlic varieties that produce scapes should be harvested to redirect energy away from flowering and seed production and toward bulb formation, producing larger bulbs in return. Scapes are edible, tasting similar to leeks or onions and can be cooked or served raw as garnish.

Although they add flavor and variety to the garden, scapes divert resources away from producing large bulbs – and can significantly diminish your final harvest size. Remove them as soon as they appear so the plant can put all its energy toward producing large bulbs rather than producing extra blooms.

Once scapes have curled, it is best to remove them quickly in order to prevent their straightening and the bulbous end opening up to reveal flower buds – this will prevent garlic from producing flower blooms that could reduce its final harvest size.

Harvest dates vary based on many factors, including how long your garlic plants take to mature and weather conditions during its growing season. As a general guideline, it is safe to harvest once their foliage turns yellow or brown in late summer. To maximize results, use a garden fork or trowel to loosen soil around each garlic plant carefully without disturbing its bulbs before pulling up all of your crop.

Remove the Scapes as Soon as You Can

Debra Knapke, an expert gardener specializing in growing vegetables, recommends harvesting garlic scapes as soon as they spiral. Furthermore, she suggests cutting them close to their bases so as not to accidentally cut any leaves of the garlic plant.

Growing bulbs is often fraught with difficulty and there is some disagreement as to when and how best to harvest scapes, with some growers opting for early removal so as to divert energy toward bulb development while others wait until their structure unravels and the capsules start swelling before pulling. Most growers tend to harvest theirs somewhere in between these extremes.

While garlic scapes may be edible, their development takes energy away from growing bulbs and could reduce your final harvest by up to 50% if left alone. If they remain, their stems could develop bulbils which are inedible.

Store the Scapes

Removing garlic scapes from plants can divert energy away from growing large bulbs, and can have a significant impact on harvest. Studies suggest that by snapping off these scapes it can result in bulbs up to 50% larger than when left on the plant.

Garlic Scapes are edible scapes with a mild garlic and asparagus flavor, making them the ideal ingredient to incorporate into eggs, soups, stews, sauces and main and side dishes alike. Furthermore, you can use garlic scapes as part of a delicious pesto or as garnish on dishes such as pizza and other forms of food such as roast vegetables.

The garlic plant produces immature flower stalks called scapes that can be harvested as part of its natural reproductive cycle in springtime, when their reproductive cycles start. Once they begin rising above its leaves and curling back in, these scapes can be picked manually or using a device such as a garlic clipper that allows you to pull up on them from above.

At their most tender stage, it is best to prune scapes when they reach full maturity and form flower buds; otherwise they will become tough and woody over time.