Harvest garlic scapes when they curl above the leaves and before they straighten. Cut them at the base where the scape meets the top leaves. Removing scapes directs the plant’s energy into growing larger garlic bulbs instead of flowers and seeds.
Garlic scapes taste like mild garlic with a tender crisp texture. They can be grilled, roasted, or used in pesto. The harvest window lasts about two weeks in early summer.
What are garlic scapes
Garlic scapes are the flower stalks that grow from hardneck garlic (Allium sativum L.) plants. Each garlic clove you plant produces one central stalk surrounded by flat leaves. After the plant matures, a closed flower bud forms at the end of this central stalk. The curled stem and bud together are called the garlic scape.
Only hardneck garlic varieties produce scapes. Softneck garlic, the type often sold in grocery stores, does not form a flower stalk. When shopping for garlic planting stock, look for hardneck types if you want to harvest scapes. Hardneck garlic also tends to have larger cloves and more complex flavor than softneck varieties.
The scape itself looks like a long green tendril that emerges from the center of the garlic plant. It grows upward and forms a distinctive curl or loop. At the tip sits a pointed bulbil capsule that will eventually contain tiny garlic cloves if left to mature. The entire scape, from base to bulbil, is edible when harvested at the right time.
When to harvest garlic scapes
Harvest garlic scapes when the stalk grows taller than the leaves and begins to curl. The ideal time is while the scape is still tender and before it straightens back out. In most regions, this happens in early to mid-June, though timing varies with climate and planting date.
Watch your garlic plants in late spring. The scape will emerge from the center of the plant and grow rapidly upward. Once it rises above the leaves and forms one complete curl or loop, it is ready to cut. If you wait too long, the scape becomes woody and tough. The stem will straighten as the bulbil matures, which signals that the scape is past its prime for eating.
According to University of Kentucky extension, removing scapes at this stage allows the plant to put more energy into bulb development rather than seed production. This leads to larger, more robust garlic heads at harvest time. The harvest window for tender scapes is short, usually lasting just one to two weeks depending on how many plants you have and how quickly they mature.
How to cut garlic scapes
Use clean, sharp scissors or garden snips to cut the scape. Follow the scape stem down to where it meets the top of the plant’s leaves. Cut the scape as low as possible without removing any of the flat leaves. The leaves are what feed the bulb, so they need to stay intact.
Hold the scape steady with one hand while cutting with the other. Make a clean cut rather than tearing or twisting the stem. Leave about an inch of the scape stub above the highest leaf to avoid accidentally cutting into the foliage. The remaining stub will dry out and cause no harm to the plant.
Cut all the scapes from your garlic bed at once if they are ready. They tend to mature around the same time in a single planting. After cutting, the garlic plants will focus on bulking up the underground bulbs for the remaining three to four weeks before the main garlic harvest. Keep the plants watered and weeded during this final growth period for the best bulb size.
What happens if you leave scapes on the plant
If you do not harvest the scapes, they will continue to grow and mature. The curved stem straightens out and the bulbil capsule at the tip swells and hardens. Inside the capsule, tiny garlic bulbils develop. These bulbils are miniature garlic cloves that can be planted to grow new garlic plants.
Leaving scapes on the plant diverts energy away from bulb formation. The underground garlic bulb will be smaller than it would have been if the scape was removed. This is why most gardeners who want large garlic heads cut their scapes. The difference in bulb size can be noticeable, especially in varieties prone to smaller bulbs.
The bulbils produced by the scape can be useful for propagation. Plant them in fall just like garlic cloves. They will grow into small single-bulb plants the first year, called rounds. These rounds can be harvested and replanted to produce full-sized bulbs the following year. Growing garlic from bulbils takes longer than planting cloves, but it is a way to multiply your stock or refresh your garlic genetics.
How to use garlic scapes in the kitchen
Garlic scapes have a mild garlic flavor that is less pungent than the cloves. The texture is crisp and tender when fresh, similar to a young green bean. They can be eaten raw, but cooking mellows the flavor and brings out a slightly sweet, vegetal taste.
Roasting or grilling scapes is one of the simplest preparations. Toss them with olive oil and salt, then roast at 400°F (204°C) for about 15 minutes or grill over medium heat until tender and lightly charred. Roasted scapes make an excellent side dish or pizza topping. They can also be chopped and added to stir-fries, soups, or pasta dishes in place of garlic cloves.
Garlic scape pesto is a popular way to preserve the harvest. Blend scapes with olive oil, parmesan cheese, nuts, and a squeeze of lemon juice. The pesto freezes well and can be used throughout the year. Scapes can also be pickled in vinegar brine for a tangy condiment. Pickling preserves their crunch and adds a sharp, acidic bite that pairs well with rich foods. Fresh scapes keep in the refrigerator for about two weeks when stored in a plastic bag.
Where to find garlic scapes
Garlic scapes are rarely sold in supermarkets. They have a short harvest window and do not ship well, which makes them a local specialty. The best place to find scapes is at farmers markets in late spring and early summer. Many small-scale garlic growers bring scapes to market as soon as they cut them.
Some community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs include scapes in their early summer shares. If you belong to a CSA that includes vegetables, ask your farmer if they grow hardneck garlic and plan to offer scapes. You can also check with local farms that sell direct to see if they have scapes available during the season.
Growing your own garlic is the most reliable way to get scapes. Plant hardneck garlic cloves in fall, around October or November depending on your climate, and wait for the scapes to appear the following June. Growing garlic is straightforward and requires minimal care beyond planting, mulching, and occasional watering. Hardneck varieties like ‘Music’, ‘German White’, and ‘Chesnok Red’ are all good choices for home gardeners looking to harvest scapes.
How to grow garlic for scapes
To grow garlic scapes, start with hardneck garlic varieties. Softneck types do not produce scapes. Order seed garlic from a reputable supplier or save the largest bulbs from your previous harvest. Each clove you plant will produce one plant, one scape, and one new bulb.
Plant garlic cloves in fall, about four to six weeks before the ground freezes. Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Break apart the bulbs into individual cloves and plant them pointed end up, about two inches deep and four to six inches apart. Mulch the bed with straw or shredded leaves to protect the cloves through winter.
Garlic grows slowly through winter and resumes active growth in early spring. Water regularly during dry spells and pull any weeds that compete with the plants. In late spring, the scapes will emerge and curl. Cut them when they are tender to encourage larger bulb development. According to University of Saskatchewan extension, removing scapes can increase bulb size by up to 30 percent in some varieties. The garlic bulbs will be ready to harvest a few weeks after scape removal, usually in mid to late July.
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