Garlic Blooms: What They Are & How to Use Them

Garlic blooms, also known as garlic scapes, are the curly green flower stalks that grow from hardneck garlic varieties. Cutting them off directs energy to bulb development, yielding larger garlic heads, and they're delicious to eat with a mild garlic flavor perfect for pesto, stir-fries, and roasting.

Ever noticed those curly green shoots emerging from your garlic plants and wondered what to do with them? You're not alone. Each spring, gardeners and cooks discover garlic blooms—technically called scapes—and face the same questions: Should you remove them? What do they taste like? Can you eat them? Let's cut through the confusion with science-backed guidance that transforms these often-discarded stalks into culinary treasures while maximizing your garlic harvest.

What Exactly Are Garlic Blooms (Scapes)?

Garlic scapes are the flower stalks produced by hardneck garlic varieties (Allium sativum var. ophioscorodon). Unlike softneck garlic commonly found in supermarkets, hardneck varieties send up these distinctive curly stalks in late spring to early summer. The scape begins as a straight shoot that quickly forms a tight curl, eventually producing a flower cluster called a bulbil.

These aren't just decorative—scapes serve a crucial purpose in the garlic plant's life cycle. But for gardeners seeking the best bulb development, understanding when and how to manage them makes all the difference.

Freshly harvested garlic scapes on wooden cutting board

Why Removing Scapes Boosts Your Garlic Harvest

Here's where gardening science meets practical results: When you remove garlic scapes, you redirect the plant's energy from flower production to bulb development. Research from Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences confirms that scape removal typically increases bulb size by 15-25%.

With Scapes Left On	With Scapes Removed
Bulb size reduced by 15-25%	Bulb size increased by 15-25%
Energy diverted to flower production	Energy focused on bulb development
Bulbs may mature 7-10 days earlier	Bulbs reach optimal size for storage
Risk of smaller, less uniform cloves	Produces larger, more uniform cloves

The Perfect Timing: When to Harvest Garlic Scapes

Timing is everything with garlic scapes. Harvest too early, and you miss peak flavor; too late, and they become tough and fibrous. Follow this seasonal timeline for optimal results:

Early May (Northern Hemisphere): Scapes begin emerging as straight shoots
Late May to Early June: Peak harvest window when scapes form their first tight curl
Mid-June: Scapes straighten as they prepare to flower—still edible but tougher
Late June: Flower buds develop—scapes become woody and less desirable

The ideal harvest moment comes when the scape has made that distinctive first curl but hasn't yet straightened out. At this stage, they're tender, flavorful, and at their culinary peak.

Culinary Gold: Transforming Scapes into Delicious Dishes

Don't toss those scapes—they're a seasonal delicacy with a milder, more complex flavor than mature garlic cloves. Think of them as garlic's spring awakening: fresh, grassy notes with just the right garlic kick.

Professional chefs prize scapes for their versatility. Here's how to maximize their potential:

Basic Preparation Techniques

Trim tough ends: Remove the very tip and any woody base portions
Chop finely: For salads, dressings, or as a garnish
Slice on diagonal: For stir-fries and sautés to maximize surface area
Blanch briefly: For pesto or freezing to preserve vibrant color

Top 3 Simple Scape Recipes

Garlic Scape Pesto: Blend 1 cup chopped scapes, 1/2 cup walnuts, 1/2 cup Parmesan, 1/4 cup olive oil, and salt to taste. Perfect for pasta or as a sandwich spread.
Roasted Scape Spears: Toss whole scapes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 400°F for 15-20 minutes until tender and slightly caramelized.
Scape Compound Butter: Mix finely chopped scapes into softened butter with lemon zest. Roll into a log, chill, and slice onto grilled meats or vegetables.

Storage Secrets: Making Your Scape Harvest Last

Garlic scapes have excellent storage potential when handled correctly. Unlike delicate herbs, they maintain quality for weeks when stored properly:

Refrigeration: Store in a loosely closed plastic bag with a paper towel in the crisper drawer for 2-3 weeks
Freezing: Blanch for 60 seconds, plunge into ice water, pat dry, and freeze in airtight containers for up to 12 months
Pickling: Create quick-pickled scapes in vinegar brine for refrigerator storage up to 6 months

For best flavor retention, use fresh scapes within 10 days of harvest. Frozen scapes work perfectly in cooked dishes but lose their crisp texture.

Common Mistakes to Avoid With Garlic Blooms

Even experienced gardeners make these scape-related errors. Steer clear of these pitfalls:

Waiting too long to harvest: Once scapes straighten and flower buds form, they become tough and fibrous
Removing scapes from softneck garlic: Softneck varieties don't produce true scapes—what appears similar is just leaf growth
Discarding the entire scape: The lower portion is tender while the very tip can be woody—trim selectively
Overcooking: Scapes cook faster than regular garlic—add them later in the cooking process

When NOT to Remove Garlic Scapes

While removing scapes generally benefits bulb development, there are specific situations where you might want to leave them:

Seed saving: If you're collecting bulbils for planting next season
Ornamental purposes: The unique curl makes attractive garden features
Experimental growing: When comparing bulb development with and without scape removal

For most home gardeners focused on maximizing their garlic harvest, removing scapes remains the recommended practice based on agricultural research from institutions like Oregon State University Extension Service.

Garlic Blooms: Your Questions Answered

Can you eat garlic blooms?

Yes, garlic blooms (scapes) are completely edible and prized by chefs for their mild garlic flavor. They're most tender when harvested during their curling stage in late spring.

What happens if you don't cut garlic scapes?

If you leave garlic scapes on the plant, energy gets diverted to flower and seed production, typically reducing bulb size by 15-25%. The plant will still produce garlic, but the bulbs will be smaller.

How do garlic scapes taste different from regular garlic?

Garlic scapes have a milder, more complex flavor than mature garlic cloves—fresh and grassy with subtle garlic notes. They lack the intense pungency of regular garlic, making them versatile for raw applications.

Can you grow garlic from the blooms?

Yes, the flower cluster (bulbil) at the top of mature scapes contains small cloves that can be planted. However, it takes 2-3 years to develop full-sized bulbs from bulbils, making this method primarily for seed saving rather than immediate harvest.

Are garlic scapes available in grocery stores?

Seasonally, yes—typically from May through June at farmers markets and specialty grocery stores. They're less common in standard supermarkets but increasingly available as culinary interest grows.