Garlic Scapes: What They Are, When to Harvest Them & How to Use Them

Garlic Scapes: The Delicious Bonus Harvest From Your Garlic Plants

If you’ve ever grown garlic, you may have noticed a curly green stalk growing from the center of your plants in late spring. Before you wonder if something has gone wrong, congratulations you’ve discovered one of the best parts of growing hardneck garlic!

These curly stems are called garlic scapes, and they are an edible bonus harvest that comes weeks before your garlic bulbs are ready to harvest. With a mild garlic flavor and crisp texture, garlic scapes can be used in everything from pesto and stir-fries to soups, salads, and roasted vegetable dishes.

Garlic scapes are produced by hardneck garlic varieties and appear as the plant prepares to flower. Removing them helps redirect the plant’s energy back into bulb development, which can encourage larger garlic bulbs at harvest time.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about garlic scapes, including what they are, when to harvest them, how to cut them from your plants, and delicious ways to use this seasonal garden treasure.

What Are Garlic Scapes?

Garlic scapes are the flower stalks produced by hardneck garlic plants. They grow from the center of the garlic leaves and eventually form a curled stem with a small bulb-like structure at the top if left on the plant.

While many gardeners grow garlic for the underground bulb, garlic scapes provide an additional harvest before the garlic heads are ready. They have a texture similar to asparagus with a flavor that is milder and sweeter than mature garlic cloves.

Unlike garlic bulbs, which take around eight to nine months to mature, garlic scapes are ready to harvest in late spring or early summer usually several weeks before the garlic bulbs are harvested.

Want to grow your own garlic? Learn everything you need to know in my complete guide to How to Grow Garlic: The Complete Guide from Planting to Harvest.

Do All Garlic Plants Produce Scapes?

No. Only hardneck garlic varieties produce true garlic scapes.

Hardneck garlic is popular among gardeners in colder climates because it handles winter temperatures well and produces larger cloves with complex flavors. The bonus scape harvest is another reason many home gardeners prefer growing hardneck varieties.

Common hardneck garlic varieties that produce scapes include:

• Music garlic
• German Extra Hardy
• Chesnok Red
• Purple Glazer
• Siberian garlic

Softneck garlic, which is commonly found in grocery stores, does not typically produce a traditional scape. Instead, it focuses its energy on bulb production and is often preferred for longer storage.

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When Do Garlic Scapes Grow?

Garlic scapes typically appear in late spring to early summer, depending on your climate, garlic variety, and planting date.

For many gardeners, scapes begin emerging around:

• May to June in northern climates
• June in many Midwest gardens
• Late spring in warmer regions

The scape will first emerge as a straight stalk from the center of the garlic plant. As it grows taller, it begins to curl into a loop.

The ideal time to harvest garlic scapes is when they are:

✅ Fully extended above the leaves
✅ Beginning to curl into one loop
✅ Still tender and flexible
✅ Before the flower head opens

Harvesting at this stage gives you the best flavor and texture.

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Why Should You Remove Garlic Scapes?

Removing garlic scapes is an important step if your goal is growing large garlic bulbs.

When a garlic plant produces a flower stalk, it begins directing energy toward producing flowers and bulbils (tiny garlic cloves) instead of focusing entirely on bulb growth.

By removing the scape, you encourage the plant to put more energy into enlarging the underground garlic bulb.

Think of garlic scapes as a bonus harvest that also helps improve your main garlic harvest.

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How to Harvest Garlic Scapes

Harvesting garlic scapes is simple and only takes a few seconds.

To remove garlic scapes:

1. Wait until the scape has formed one curl.
2. Follow the stalk down toward the center of the plant.
3. Cut or snap the scape as low as possible without damaging the surrounding leaves.
4. Harvest in the morning when plants are hydrated for the best texture.

You can use clean garden scissors, pruners, or simply snap them off with your fingers.

Avoid pulling aggressively, as you don’t want to damage the garlic plant before the bulb finishes developing.

How to Store Garlic Scapes

Garlic scapes are best enjoyed fresh, but if you harvest more than you can use right away, there are several easy ways to store them and preserve their delicious garlic flavor.

Because garlic scapes are a seasonal harvest that only appears for a short window each year, proper storage allows you to enjoy them long after your garden has finished producing.

Storing Fresh Garlic Scapes in the Refrigerator

The easiest way to store garlic scapes is to keep them fresh in the refrigerator. When stored properly, garlic scapes can stay crisp and flavorful for up to 2 to 3 weeks.

To store garlic scapes:

1. Gently brush off any dirt or debris.
2. Avoid washing them until you’re ready to use them, as excess moisture can speed up spoilage.
3. Place the scapes in a loose plastic bag, reusable produce bag, or airtight container lined with a paper towel.
4. Store them in the vegetable crisper drawer of your refrigerator.

Before using, trim off the woody ends and rinse the scapes under cool water.

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Can You Freeze Garlic Scapes?

Yes! Freezing is one of the best ways to preserve garlic scapes so you can enjoy them throughout the year. Frozen garlic scapes work especially well in pesto, sauces, soups, stir-fries, and roasted vegetable dishes.

To freeze garlic scapes:

1. Wash and dry the scapes thoroughly.
2. Remove the tough ends.
3. Cut them into smaller pieces that are easy to use later.
4. Spread pieces on a baking sheet and freeze for 1 to 2 hours.
5. Transfer frozen pieces into freezer bags or airtight containers.

Freezing them individually first prevents the pieces from sticking together, making it easy to grab exactly what you need.

Frozen garlic scapes can last up to 6 months while maintaining good flavor and texture.

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Preserving Garlic Scapes as Pesto

Garlic scape pesto is one of the most popular ways to preserve this seasonal harvest. The bright green color and mild garlic flavor make it a delicious alternative to traditional basil pesto.

Garlic scape pesto can be stored:

• In the refrigerator for about 1 week
• In the freezer for several months

For longer storage, freeze pesto in ice cube trays, then transfer the cubes into freezer bags. This makes it easy to add small portions to pasta, soups, roasted vegetables, or sauces.

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Pickling Garlic Scapes

If you enjoy preserving food, pickled garlic scapes are another great option. Pickling keeps the crisp texture while adding a tangy flavor that works well as a snack, appetizer, or topping.

Pickled garlic scapes can be used on:

• Charcuterie boards
• Sandwiches
• Salads
• Burgers
• Grain bowls

Always follow safe canning practices and use tested recipes when storing pickled vegetables long-term.

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Drying Garlic Scapes

Garlic scapes can also be dried and turned into a flavorful seasoning. Once dried, they can be ground into a powder or added to homemade spice blends.

To dry garlic scapes:

1. Wash and thoroughly dry the scapes.
2. Cut them into small pieces.
3. Dry using a food dehydrator or low-temperature oven until completely crisp.
4. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark location.

Dried garlic scapes add a mild garlic flavor to soups, roasted vegetables, marinades, and homemade seasoning mixes.

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Tips for Keeping Garlic Scapes Fresh Longer

To get the most out of your garlic scape harvest:

• Harvest scapes when they are young and tender.
• Store them quickly after picking.
• Keep them dry until you’re ready to use them.
• Remove any soft or damaged pieces before storing.
• Preserve extras soon after harvesting instead of letting them sit unused.

Garlic scapes may only be available for a few weeks each year, but with proper storage, you can enjoy the flavor of your garden harvest well into the winter months.

Want to grow your own garlic? Learn everything you need to know in my complete guide to How to Grow Garlic: The Complete Guide from Planting to Harvest.

For more tips on what to do with your garlic check out this post!

Frequently Asked Questions About Garlic Scapes

What are garlic scapes?

Garlic scapes are the curly flower stalks produced by hardneck garlic plants. They grow from the center of the garlic leaves in late spring or early summer and are harvested before the garlic bulb is ready. Garlic scapes are completely edible and have a mild, slightly sweet garlic flavor.

Many gardeners consider scapes a bonus harvest because they provide fresh garlic flavor weeks before the bulbs are harvested.

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Do you have to remove garlic scapes?

No, you don’t have to remove garlic scapes, but most gardeners choose to harvest them. Removing the scape encourages the garlic plant to put more energy into developing a larger bulb underground rather than producing a flower stalk and bulbils.

If your goal is growing the biggest garlic bulbs possible, harvesting garlic scapes is recommended.

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When is the best time to harvest garlic scapes?

The best time to harvest garlic scapes is when they begin to curl into one loop but are still tender and flexible. This usually happens in late spring or early summer, several weeks before the garlic bulbs are ready to harvest.

If the scapes become thick, straight, and woody, they may still be edible but can have a tougher texture.

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Can you eat garlic scapes raw?

Yes, garlic scapes can be eaten raw. They have a crisp texture and a milder garlic flavor than fresh garlic cloves. Young, tender scapes are delicious chopped into salads, blended into pesto, added to dips, or used as a garnish.

If you find the ends are tough, simply trim away the woody portion before eating.

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Can you eat the entire garlic scape?

Most of the garlic scape is edible, including the curly stem and the unopened flower bud at the top. The lower portion of older scapes can become tougher, so many gardeners remove the bottom inch or two before cooking.

The entire tender green portion can be chopped and used just like green onions or garlic cloves.

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Do garlic scapes grow on all garlic plants?

No. Garlic scapes are produced by hardneck garlic varieties. Softneck garlic, which is commonly sold in grocery stores, typically does not produce a traditional scape.

If you want to harvest garlic scapes, choose a hardneck garlic variety when planting.

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How many garlic scapes does one garlic plant produce?

Each hardneck garlic plant typically produces one garlic scape. Since each planted garlic clove grows into one garlic bulb, the number of scapes you harvest depends on how many garlic plants you grow.

For example, planting 50 garlic cloves can potentially provide around 50 fresh garlic scapes.

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How long do garlic scapes last after harvesting?

Fresh garlic scapes can last about 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator when stored properly. For longer storage, they can be frozen, turned into pesto, pickled, or dried.

Freezing is one of the easiest ways to preserve garlic scapes and enjoy them throughout the year.

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Can you plant garlic scapes?

No, garlic scapes themselves are not used for planting. They are the flower stalks of the garlic plant, not the bulb or cloves.

However, some hardneck garlic varieties produce small bulbils at the top of the scape if allowed to mature. These can sometimes be planted, but they usually take several years to grow into full-sized garlic bulbs.

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Final Thoughts

Garlic scapes are one of the hidden treasures of growing your own garlic. They provide an unexpected harvest during the weeks when you’re eagerly waiting for your garlic bulbs to mature, giving you even more food from the garden you worked so hard to grow.

If you’ve never grown hardneck garlic before, harvesting garlic scapes is a fun milestone that signals your garlic crop is progressing beautifully. These curly green stems are easy to harvest, incredibly versatile in the kitchen, and a great way to enjoy fresh garden produce before the main garlic harvest begins.

Whether you blend them into pesto, toss them into stir-fries, roast them with vegetables, or preserve them for later, garlic scapes are worth growing for. Once you experience the flavor of fresh garlic scapes from your own garden, they may become one of your favorite seasonal crops.

The best part about garlic scapes is that they make growing garlic even more rewarding. With one simple fall planting, you can enjoy months of anticipation, a spring bonus harvest, and finally a summer garlic harvest that can keep your kitchen stocked for months.

If you’re growing garlic this year, don’t forget to keep an eye out for those curly green stems. That little twist in your garden is a sign that a delicious harvest is just around the corner. 🌱

Garlic scapes are so underrated and I don’t understand why: they are yummy and versatile. If you are looking for a new and delicious way to enjoy garlic, I encourage you to try garlic scapes. They are a healthy vegetable that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways.

How do you use your garlic scapes?

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