How To Grow Garlic Scapes For Tasty Food And Medic

Growing Garlic Scapes for Tasty Food and Medicinal Uses

Garlic scapes are the unsung heroes of the garden—twisting, curling green shoots that spring from hardneck garlic varieties. These garlicky green tendrils don't just look quirky; they bring bold flavor and surprising versatility to the kitchen while offering a whisper of medicinal benefits. If you haven’t tried growing garlic scapes, you're missing out on a gift that practically grows itself.

What Are Garlic Scapes, Exactly?

In plain terms, scapes are the flower stalks garlic plants send up in early summer as they mature. Left unchecked, scapes will bloom into bulbs, which siphon strength from the garlic bulb underground. That’s why they’re clipped by gardeners—so the plant’s energy funnels back into making plump, flavorful garlic heads.

But here’s the magic: those trimmed scapes aren’t waste. They’re tender, edible delicacies—spicy and green like garlic but without the full-on punch of the bulb.

Pro tip: Scapes are often called “garlic’s second harvest” because they sneak in weeks before the garlic crop is ready to pull.

How to Plant for Garlic Scapes

You need to grow the right kind of garlic to get scapes because only hardneck varieties produce them. Softneck garlic, popular in warmer climates, deprives you of this bonus harvest.

1. Plant hardneck garlic in the fall, about six weeks before the ground freezes. The cloves need that cold dormancy to thrive.
2. Space cloves 6 inches apart, pointy side up, and plant them about 2 inches deep. A sprinkling of compost before planting does wonders.
3. Mulch generously to protect the cloves during winter and conserve moisture as spring heats up.

By late spring or early summer, those whimsical spirals will start appearing among the garlic tops. That’s when the fun begins.

When and How to Harvest Scapes

You don’t harvest scapes all at once. Each one emerges and matures at its own pace, which keeps your cutting schedule loose. Wait until they curl at least one full loop—they’ll be tender and flavorful at that stage.

To harvest, use clean scissors or pruners to snip them just above where they emerge. Avoid yanking; tearing the stem can stress the plant. Try to snag them within a week of maturity, or they’ll toughen and become woody as they age.

Scapes typically appear 2-3 weeks before the garlic bulbs are ready. Think of them as nature’s advance party.

Using Garlic Scapes in the Kitchen

The culinary possibilities are endless. Raw, they offer a mild garlic bite ideal for pestos, vinaigrettes, and dips. Cooked, they mellow into something sweeter and more savory, like a cross between roasted garlic and green beans.

• Pesto: Blend scapes with olive oil, nuts, Parmesan, and a squeeze of lemon. Toss with pasta or use as a sandwich spread.
• Grilled: Toss in olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and char on the grill. Serve as a side or chop into salads.
• Stir-Fried: Sauté with veggies, eggs, or shrimp for a quick, flavorful boost.

If you're ambitious, scapes also pickle beautifully. A jar in the fridge can last months, offering bursts of garlicky brightness to meals.

Medicinal Benefits of Garlic Scapes

Garlic has long been lauded for its health benefits, and scapes carry some of the same properties—albeit in a subtler form. Studies suggest compounds in garlic scapes may support immunity and cardiovascular health, though not as potently as the bulb itself.

When I’m feeling a scratchy throat coming on, I’ll blitz scapes into a raw, honey-sweetened sauce to drizzle over toast. It’s a home remedy with bite.

Final Thoughts on Growing Garlic Scapes

Garlic scapes might not win prizes for glamour, but they’ll reward you with unique flavors and unexpected nutrition. For anyone already growing hardneck garlic, these little green tendrils are a gift wrapped in a curl. And for those who aren’t yet planting garlic, well, now’s the perfect excuse to start.

Growing garlic scapes can provide numerous health benefits. Furthermore, the scapes themselves are incredibly delicious and make a great addition to any meal. So why not give garlic scapes a try? Growing your own crop is surprisingly straightforward, and you could have your own homegrown scapes, packed full of flavor and nutrition, in no time!