Flowering Garlic: What to Do With Garlic Scapes for Best Harvest

When garlic plants produce scapes (flower stalks), it's a natural part of their growth cycle. Removing these scapes directs more energy to bulb development, typically resulting in 30% larger bulbs. The scapes themselves are delicious edible greens with a mild garlic flavor perfect for spring cooking.

Discovering curly green stalks emerging from your garlic plants can be surprising if you've never grown garlic before. These flowering structures, called scapes, appear in late spring to early summer and represent a critical decision point for gardeners. Understanding what to do with flowering garlic makes the difference between modest harvests and robust, plump bulbs ready for storage.

What Exactly Are Garlic Scapes?

Garlic scapes are the flowering stalks produced by hardneck garlic varieties. Unlike softneck garlic (common in supermarkets), hardneck types send up these distinctive curling stalks that eventually develop into flower clusters. The scape emerges when the plant shifts energy toward reproduction.

These scapes typically appear 4-6 weeks before bulb maturity, usually in May or June depending on your climate. They start as straight shoots that quickly develop their characteristic curl. While they might look like weeds, they're actually a valuable garden resource both for bulb development and culinary use.

Why Garlic Flowers: The Biological Perspective

Garlic produces flowers as part of its natural reproductive cycle. When environmental conditions trigger flowering, the plant diverts energy from bulb development to flower and seed production. This biological process follows a predictable pattern:

Stage	Timeline	Plant Behavior
Vegetative Growth	Early spring	Focus on leaf and root development
Scape Emergence	Late spring	Flowering stalk appears, energy shifts upward
Flower Development	Early summer	Bulb growth slows as flowers mature
Bulb Maturation	Mid to late summer	Final bulb sizing before harvest

This biological timeline explains why timely scape removal matters. According to Cornell University's agricultural research, when garlic plants begin flowering, bulb growth slows by approximately 25% as energy redirects to flower production. The plant essentially faces a choice: develop larger bulbs or produce seeds.

Should You Remove Garlic Scapes? Practical Considerations

The short answer: yes, if you want larger bulbs. But the decision depends on your gardening goals. Here's what research shows about the impact of scape removal:

Factor	With Scape Removal	Without Scape Removal
Bulb Size	25-30% larger (University of Minnesota Extension)	Smaller, more numerous cloves
Harvest Timing	Standard harvest window	Slightly earlier harvest possible
Culinary Value	Edible scapes + larger bulbs	Only bulb harvest
Seed Production	No bulbils or seeds	Produces bulbils for propagation

For most home gardeners focused on bulb production, removing scapes is recommended. The University of Vermont Extension confirms that "scape removal consistently results in larger bulb size" across multiple garlic varieties. However, if you're saving seeds or growing for bulbil production, leaving some scapes intact makes sense.

How to Harvest Garlic Scapes Properly

Timing and technique matter when harvesting scapes. Follow these steps for best results:

1. Identify the right stage: Harvest when scapes form their first complete coil but remain tender. They should snap easily when bent.
2. Choose the harvest time: Early morning when plants are hydrated yields the crispest scapes.
3. Cut properly: Use clean scissors to cut 2-3 inches below the bulbous area where the flower would form.
4. Leave enough growth: Don't cut into the leaf structure, as this can damage the plant.
5. Harvest regularly: Check plants every 2-3 days during scape season as they emerge quickly.

Proper harvesting technique ensures you get the most from your garlic plants without compromising bulb development. The National Gardening Association notes that "consistent scape removal across all plants in a bed creates uniform bulb development."

Culinary Uses for Fresh Garlic Scapes

Don't let those scapes go to waste—they're a spring delicacy with a milder garlic flavor than mature bulbs. Professional chefs value them for their versatility:

• Raw applications: Slice thinly for salads or compound butters
• Cooked preparations: Stir-fry, grill, or roast as you would asparagus
• Pesto base: Substitute for basil in pesto recipes (use 1:1 ratio)
• Pickling: Preserve in vinegar for year-round use
• Stock enhancement: Add to vegetable stocks for subtle garlic notes

According to culinary research from the University of California Cooperative Extension, "garlic scapes contain allicin compounds similar to mature garlic but in lower concentrations, providing health benefits without overwhelming heat." Their flavor profile makes them ideal for dishes where you want garlic essence without sharp pungency.

What Happens After Scape Removal: Bulb Development

After removing scapes, your garlic plants redirect energy to bulb development. This process follows a predictable pattern:

Within 48 hours of scape removal, photosynthetic energy that would have gone to flower production shifts to bulb formation. The lower leaves begin to yellow as the plant completes its growth cycle. Over the next 4-6 weeks, bulbs swell to their final size while developing protective wrappers.

Proper post-scape care ensures maximum bulb development:

• Maintain consistent moisture (1 inch of water weekly)
• Avoid additional nitrogen fertilization
• Monitor for leaf dieback signaling harvest time
• Reduce watering 1-2 weeks before expected harvest

When harvesting, look for the telltale sign: when the lower third of leaves turn brown while the upper leaves remain green. This indicates bulbs have reached full size with proper curing potential.

Special Considerations for Different Garlic Types

Not all garlic varieties behave the same when flowering. Understanding these differences helps tailor your approach:

Hardneck varieties (Rocambole, Porcelain, Purple Stripe) reliably produce scapes and benefit most from removal. Softneck varieties (Silverskin, Artichoke) rarely produce scapes, making this practice less relevant. The exception occurs when softnecks experience temperature fluctuations that trigger occasional flowering.

For seed savers, leaving some scapes intact allows bulbil development. These tiny aerial cloves form at the scape's tip and can be planted for next season's crop. However, the University of Maine Cooperative Extension cautions that "bulbils take 2-3 years to develop into full-sized bulbs, making this propagation method slower than planting cloves."

Troubleshooting Common Flowering Garlic Issues

Several problems can arise with flowering garlic. Here's how to address them:

• Early flowering: Caused by temperature fluctuations; remove scapes immediately
• Multiple scapes: Some varieties produce secondary scapes; remove all
• Woody scapes: Indicates late harvesting; use tougher stalks for stocks
• No bulb development after flowering: May indicate poor soil nutrition or overcrowding

Remember that context matters—garlic grown in extremely cold climates may naturally produce smaller bulbs regardless of scape management. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map provides valuable regional context for expected garlic performance.

Maximizing Your Garlic Harvest: Practical Summary

Flowering garlic represents both a challenge and opportunity for gardeners. By understanding the biological process and acting at the right time, you can significantly improve your harvest. The key takeaways:

• Remove scapes when they form their first complete coil
• Expect 25-30% larger bulbs from proper scape management
• Use harvested scapes in spring recipes for zero-waste gardening
• Adjust care based on your specific garlic variety and climate
• Monitor bulb development closely after scape removal

Whether you're a first-time garlic grower or expanding your garden repertoire, managing flowering garlic properly transforms an unexpected development into a gardening advantage. The simple act of removing scapes connects you to centuries of agricultural wisdom while delivering tangible harvest benefits.

When is the best time to remove garlic scapes?

Remove garlic scapes when they form their first complete coil, typically in late spring. They should be tender enough to snap easily when bent. Early morning harvest yields the crispest scapes. Waiting too long results in woody, less edible stalks and reduces the bulb size benefit.

Do all garlic varieties produce scapes?

No, only hardneck garlic varieties produce scapes. Common hardneck types include Rocambole, Porcelain, and Purple Stripe. Softneck varieties (like Silverskin and Artichoke) rarely produce scapes, which is why supermarket garlic typically doesn't have them.

Can I eat garlic flowers if I don't remove the scapes?

Yes, both the scapes and the eventual garlic flowers are edible, though they become increasingly woody as they mature. The small bulbils that form at the flower head are also edible and have a mild garlic flavor, but they're quite small. For best culinary quality, harvest scapes before they fully straighten out.

How much difference does scape removal actually make in bulb size?

Research from agricultural extensions shows scape removal typically increases bulb size by 25-30%. The University of Minnesota Extension confirms this consistent improvement across multiple garlic varieties. Without scape removal, energy goes to flower production rather than bulb development, resulting in smaller harvests.