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

I started growing garlic several years ago, but honestly, I had no idea what garlic scapes even were. Worse yet, I didn’t realize I was supposed to remove them from the garlic plants. That probably explains why my garlic bulbs were always smaller than I expected.

Once I finally learned to cut the scapes off, my garlic harvests improved dramatically — and I discovered the scapes themselves are delicious too.

Garlic is one of the easiest crops to grow on a homestead, and it stores extremely well through winter. If you’re planning your garden, you might also enjoy my guide to the best vegetables to grow in an off-grid garden.

Garlic also stores exceptionally well in a root cellar. If you’re looking for long-term food storage solutions, check out my guide to Building a Root Cellar and Best Foods for Root Cellar Storage.

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• What Are Garlic Scapes?
• Hardneck vs Softneck Garlic
• Why You Should Remove Garlic Scapes
• When To Harvest Garlic Scapes
• What Garlic Scapes Taste Like
• How To Freeze Garlic Scapes
• Pickled Garlic Scapes Recipe
• Are Garlic Scapes Healthy?
• Nutritional Benefits of Garlic Scapes
• Growing Better Garlic Off-Grid
• Frequently Asked Questions About Garlic Scapes

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What Are Garlic Scapes?

If you’re new to growing garlic, you may be wondering exactly what a garlic scape is.

A garlic scape is the flowering stalk that grows from hardneck garlic varieties in late spring or early summer. The scape grows up through the center of the plant and eventually curls into a loop or spiral.

Once the scape curls, it’s ready to harvest.

The first time I saw them, I honestly thought they were just part of the plant and left them alone. Unfortunately, leaving the scapes on the plant means the garlic puts energy into producing flowers and seeds instead of growing larger bulbs underground.

Removing the scapes redirects the plant’s energy back into the bulb and helps produce bigger garlic heads.

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Hardneck vs Softneck Garlic

Not all garlic varieties produce scapes. Hardneck garlic varieties produce the curly flower stalks known as garlic scapes, while most softneck garlic varieties do not.

If your goal is to harvest garlic scapes for cooking and preserving, choose hardneck garlic varieties. Softneck garlic is often preferred for long-term storage and is the type most commonly braided.

I grow hardneck garlic because it performs well in our colder climate and provides both garlic bulbs and garlic scapes each season.

Purchasing quality hardneck garlic seed bulbs from a reputable supplier can make a noticeable difference in both bulb size and overall harvest success.

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Why You Should Remove Garlic Scapes

Cutting garlic scapes is one of the easiest ways to improve your garlic harvest.

Once the scapes begin to curl, I simply snip them off near the base using a pair of sharp garden pruning shears, which make harvesting quick and help prevent damage to the plant. Removing them encourages the garlic bulbs to thicken and mature properly.

If you grow a large garden like we do, having a sturdy garden harvest basket makes collecting garlic scapes much easier during harvest season.

Garlic is one of the crops I always include in my raised beds. If you’re planning a larger garden, you may also find my Vegetable Garden Layout Plans helpful.

I usually harvest my scapes in late June. This year mine were ready around June 26th.

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When To Harvest Garlic Scapes

The best time to harvest garlic scapes is when they have formed one complete curl or loop. At this stage they are still tender and the garlic plant can redirect its energy into bulb development.

If you wait too long, the scapes become tougher and more fibrous. In my garden, they are usually ready in late June, but timing will vary depending on your climate and growing season.

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What Garlic Scapes Taste Like

Garlic scapes have a mild fresh garlic flavor with a slight sweetness and much less bite than mature garlic cloves.

The texture is similar to green onions or asparagus when cooked.

They’re excellent:

• Chopped into soups and stews
• Sautéed in butter
• Added to stir fry
• Blended into pesto
• Mixed into scrambled eggs
• Grilled on the barbecue
• Pickled for long-term storage

Some people even use the curly scapes in flower arrangements because they look so unique.

Personally, I freeze a lot of mine for winter soups and stews.

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How To Freeze Garlic Scapes

Freezing garlic scapes is one of the easiest ways to preserve them.

I simply wash the scapes, trim off any tough ends, and chop them into small pieces. Then I place them into freezer bags or vacuum seal them for longer storage.

A vacuum sealer works especially well if you preserve a lot of garden produce because it helps prevent freezer burn.

You can also freeze garlic scapes whole if you prefer.

I often use a vacuum sealer for long-term freezer storage because it helps prevent freezer burn and keeps harvested garden produce fresher for longer.

If you enjoy preserving your own food, you may also like my posts on freeze-drying vegetables and off-grid pantry storage ideas.

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Pickled Garlic Scapes Recipe

This year I decided to try something different — pickled garlic scapes.

They turned out incredibly good and have become one of my favorite garden preserves.

Ingredients

Brine

• 3 cups apple cider vinegar
• 3 cups water
• 4 TBSP coarse salt
• 4 TBSP organic sugar

Spices For Each Pint Jar

• 1/2 tsp peppercorns
• 1/2 tsp mustard seed
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1/4 tsp coriander seeds (optional)

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Instructions

Fill hot sterilized jars with garlic scapes.

Because the scapes naturally curl, I lay the curled pieces flat and stack them carefully into the jars. Longer pieces can be tucked vertically down the center.

Add the spices to each pint jar.

In a pot, bring the water, vinegar, salt, and sugar to a boil.

Carefully pour the hot brine into the jars, leaving about 1/2 inch headspace.

Make sure all the scapes stay below the liquid, then seal the jars with lids.

I like using wide-mouth mason jars because the curled scapes fit much easier and they’re useful for many other food preservation projects around the homestead.

Allow the jars to cool completely, then place them in the refrigerator.

The pickled scapes are usually ready to taste in about 6 weeks and will keep in the fridge for several months.

We tested ours after six weeks and they turned out fantastic. They taste great straight from the jar, and surprisingly enough, they’re also excellent added to a Caesar drink.

If you’re new to preserving food, a water bath canner is one of the most useful pieces of equipment to have for pickles, jams, and other garden harvests.

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Are Garlic Scapes Healthy?

Garlic has been used traditionally for centuries in many cultures and is well known for its strong aroma and natural compounds.

Historically, garlic was used by ancient Greeks, Egyptians, and during the Middle Ages for a variety of traditional remedies and health practices.

Modern research continues to study garlic’s potential antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.

Like garlic bulbs, garlic scapes contain beneficial plant compounds and can be a flavorful addition to a healthy diet.

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Nutritional Benefits of Garlic Scapes

Garlic scapes contain vitamins A and C along with beneficial plant compounds that give garlic its distinctive flavor and aroma. While they are typically eaten in smaller amounts than garlic bulbs, they can be a healthy addition to soups, stir-fries, pesto, and other home-cooked meals.

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Growing Better Garlic Off-Grid

Garlic is one of my favorite crops to grow because it’s low maintenance, stores well, and produces reliable harvests year after year.

For anyone living more self-sufficiently, garlic is an excellent addition to an off-grid garden.

A good layer of mulch, healthy soil, and proper watering make a huge difference in garlic production. Raised beds also help improve drainage and reduce weed pressure.

If you’re building a larger homestead garden, you might also enjoy reading:

• Best Vegetables To Grow In An Off-Grid Garden
• Greenhouse Gardening Tips For Short Growing Seasons
• Food Preservation Methods For Homesteaders
• How To Start A Homestead Garden

Once I finally learned to harvest the scapes properly, my garlic crops improved tremendously — and now the scapes themselves are something I look forward to every summer.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Garlic Scapes

Can you eat garlic scapes raw?

Yes. Garlic scapes can be eaten raw and have a milder flavor than garlic cloves. They are excellent chopped into salads, dips, and pesto.

Should I remove garlic scapes from all garlic plants?

Garlic scapes should be removed from hardneck garlic varieties. Softneck garlic typically does not produce scapes.

Can you freeze garlic scapes?

Yes. Garlic scapes freeze very well. Simply wash, chop, and place them in freezer bags or vacuum-sealed bags.

How long do pickled garlic scapes last?

Refrigerator pickled garlic scapes typically last several months when stored properly in the fridge.

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Disclosure:
Content on this site is for informational purposes only and reflects personal experience and research. Gardening results can vary based on climate, soil, and growing conditions. Some links may be affiliate links, which help support this site at no additional cost to you.

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