Are you growing hardneck garlic and aren't sure when you should be harvesting your garlic scapes? Or maybe you don't even know what garlic scapes are. Well, I have grown heirloom garlic for a while and I know exactly when you should be harvesting these garlic scapes. If you want to know what garlic scapes are, when you should harvest garlic scapes, and how you should store them then keep reading.
What are garlic scapes
First, we need to talk about garlic. There are two basic types of garlic that you can grow: hardneck and softneck.
Softneck garlic is better suited for warm conditions like the southern US. Hardneck garlic on the other hand is a perennial in Zones 1-5 which means it is very popular in the northern US and Canada.
Softneck garlic will not produce scapes; while hardneck garlic does. Since hardneck garlic gives you both scapes and garlic bulbs it's like having a two for one.
The garlic scape is the immature garlic flower. If you left the scape on the plant it would eventually turn into a white flower that would then produce little bulbils that could be replanted.
The reason people harvest garlic scapes is because if left on the plant they will draw energy away from the bulb which results in a smaller bulb. If you harvest the garlic scapes at the right time you can redirect this energy to the bulb resulting in bigger garlic.
How to know when to harvest
Usually around June the plants will start to produce scapes. They will come from the center of the plant and each plant will only produce one scape.
After the scape has turned around on its self once or twice the scapes are ready to harvest. Do not let the scapes get to the point of flowering as this will start to pull energy from the bulb.
How should I harvest garlic scapes
There are a few different ways that you can physically harvest the garlic scapes. The first (and obvious) method is using hand held pruners or gardening scissors to cut the scapes at the base. Makes sure to cut them as close to the plant as possible without trimming the other leaves.
Another way to harvest the scapes is by pulling them straight up to pop them off the plant. I like to cut them off because it gives you a cleaner cut and you have less chance of damaging the plant.
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How to store garlic scapes
Garlic scapes are edible and have many uses in the kitchen (more on that in a bit), but how do you keep them fresh? Well, there are a few different ways you can store your garlic scapes to make sure they are fresh.
Garlic scapes can last in the fridge for two to three weeks, but my favorite way to store them is in a glass of water on the counter. While they may only last a few days on the counter we use them up fast enough.
To store them in water simply grab a clean jar and fill it with cold water and place the scapes in it. Store this jar out of sunlight and in your kitchen. You should also change the water daily to keep them the freshest.
To store them in the fridge simply place the scapes in a plastic bag and store them in the fridge. You can add a damp paper towel to keep them crisp.
Ways to use garlic scapes
Garlic scapes taste like garlic bulbs, but with a little fresher taste to it. You can use garlic scapes like you would use garlic or you can make some of these great recipes.
Garlic scape pesto
If you like basil pesto and you like garlic flavor then you will love this recipe. It is great in pasta. If you won't use it all right away, freeze it in ice cube trays and then store it in a bag. Next time you need to make some pasta, simply throw in a pesto cube. Give it a try this year.
Grilled garlic scapes
Another yummy way to eat garlic scapes is grilling them. While this recipe shows cutting the flower heads off I like to leave it on. It's up to you whichever way you like it.
In everything that calls for minced garlic
If you have a recipe that calls for minced garlic, simply chop up one of your scapes. They have the exact flavor of garlic.
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