Optimal Harvesting of Garlic Scapes in June: A Guide to Picking Them for Delicious and Tender Stalks
Harvesting Garlic Scapes: A Tasty, Underrated Treat from Your Garlic Patch
Growing garlic is more than just producing the distinctive bulb— there's a hidden gem from hardneck varieties you might not see in stores. These coveted stalks, known as garlic scapes, are a delicious, nutritious addition to your meals, and they're fairly simple to harvest. Let's take a look at how to make the most of garlic scapes.
The Garlic Scape Experience
Not all garlic types produce scapes, but hardneck garlic is the lucky winner. In early spring, you'll notice these unique stalks growing before the bulbs have fully matured. They're tender, like asparagus, and have a delightful, mild garlic flavor that works wonderfully in soups, stews, stir-fries, and pesto. Plus, having a bounty of scapes means you can relish in your harvest for several weeks.
The Benefits of Garlic Scapes
But wait! There's more to garlic scapes than just fantastic flavor. Snipping off these scrumptious stalks encourages your garlic plant to redirect its energy towards producing a larger, more robust garlic bulb. In essence, you'll end up with bigger, better garlic!
When to Pick Garlic Scapes
The perfect time to pick scapes depends on your climate, as warm springs may cause them to appear as early as April. Generally, they're ready to harvest between mid-May and mid-June, but they don't all grow at the same rate. Some patience is required for regular pickings over a few weeks, and growing different garlic varieties can help stretch your scape-feasting period.
Identifying Garlic Scapes
Garlic scapes are easy to recognize—they're long, curly, green stalks, with a pointed bulb or elusive elf hat (flower bud or bulbil) at the end. They resemble green onions on steroids. Only hardneck garlic varieties will yield scapes, helping distinguish them from softneck types.
How to Harvest Garlic Scapes
When the scapes start curling, it's time to harvest. Using sharp pruning shears or garden scissors, carefully cut the stalk as close to the base as possible. If you're feeling particularly green-thumbed, you can also snap the stem between your thumb and forefinger where it emerges from the leaves. Remember to harvest in dry weather, and make sure to check your garlic weekly to remove the scapes at their prime.
Enjoying Your Harvest
Use your freshly picked scapes as soon as possible, as they'll keep fresh for a few days in a glass of water or in an airtight zip-top bag for a couple of weeks in the fridge. Don't miss out on this delightful, versatile treat that's packed with flavor!
With this handy guide, you'll be well on your way to enjoying garlic scapes at their very best. Happy harvesting, and bon appétit!
- Incorporating garlic scapes into your cooking adds a delightful, nutritious ingredient to your food-and-drink lifestyle, providing a beautiful balance of flavor in various dishes such as soups, stews, stir-fries, and pesto.
- Adding a touch of home-and-garden charm, the fiber-rich and antioxidant-rich garlic scapes not only contribute nutritionally to your meals, but also encourage healthier growth in your garlic plants by promoting a larger, more robust garlic bulb.
- Garlic scapes can be easily transformed into delicious recipes, whether you're planning to sauté, grill, bake, or even pickle them; these versatile scapes extend your culinary repertoire and add a delightful twist to your lifestyle.
