Cut Off Those Scapes

Picking Garlic Scapes | Dick’s Stinkin’ Good Garlic
Dick’s Stinkin’ Good Garlic

Picking Garlic Scapes

Scapes are the curly flower stalks from hardneck garlic. Harvesting them at the right moment gives you a tasty bonus and helps your bulbs size up underground.

What Are Garlic Scapes?

Garlic scapes are tender, green shoots that emerge from hardneck varieties in late spring. They form graceful loops before straightening. Flavor is fresh, green, and gently garlicky—perfect for pesto, stir-fries, and grilling.

Good to know: Softneck garlic typically doesn’t produce true scapes.

Why & When to Pick Scapes

Why it matters

  • Bigger bulbs: Removing scapes redirects energy from flowering back into bulb growth.
  • Culinary bonus: Scapes are delicious and versatile in the kitchen.

When they’re ready

Harvest when a scape makes one full curl (a loop or spiral) but before it straightens and hardens. In Northern Illinois (Zones 5–6), this is usually late May through mid-June.

How to Harvest Scapes

  1. Check beds daily once the first curls appear.
  2. Use clean garden scissors or gently snap the scape just above the top leaf (leaf sheath).
  3. Avoid cutting leaves—those leaves power bulb growth via photosynthesis.
  4. Keep harvested scapes out of direct sun while you finish.

Storage & Preservation

Short-term

  • Refrigerate in a perforated bag or loosely wrapped towel.
  • Use within 2–3 weeks for best quality.

Long-term

  • Chop & freeze, or blend into pesto and freeze.
  • Pickle or dehydrate to make scape powder.

Cooking Ideas

  • Scape Pesto with olive oil, Parmesan, and nuts
  • Stir-fries & omelets (chopped)
  • Grilled or sautéed whole scapes
  • Soups, dips, or compound butter

Common Mistakes & Quick Fixes

Pitfall Result Fix
Waiting too long to harvest Woody, fibrous scapes Pick once they make a full curl
Cutting too low / damaging leaves Reduced bulb size Cut/snap just above the leaf sheath
Skipping scape removal Smaller bulbs at harvest Remove all or most scapes
Improper storage Slimy or dried-out scapes Refrigerate promptly; wrap lightly

Scape Timeline (Northern Illinois)

Date Range Task
Late May – Early June Watch for the first scapes emerging
Mid-June Harvest at one curl (tender & flavorful)
Late June Last chance—scapes toughen as they straighten
~4–6 weeks after scapes Bulbs approach maturity—prepare for garlic harvest

FAQ

Do all garlic produce scapes?

No. True scapes are a feature of hardneck garlic. Most softneck types won’t produce them (or only under stress).

If I leave the scape, will bulbs still form?

Yes—but leaving scapes usually means smaller bulbs. Removing at the curled stage helps maximize size.

© Dick’s Stinkin’ Good Garlic • Northern Illinois