Garlic Scapes

[Durgan]

14 June 2011 Garlic scapes 14 June 2011 Garlic scapes

The garlic scapes were removed today. Some scapes were steam cooked and eaten similar to cooking asparagus. There is a school of thought that the under ground cloves are slightly larger when the scape, flower pod stem, is removed. The small test last year indicated no difference in size that was discernible.

If the garlic flower is allowed to mature it produces bulblets, which are clones of the underground cloves. These bulblets may be planted successively for three years to produce normal cloves. It is a convenient method of getting sufficient seed stock. Garlic does not produce new varieties, since the flowers are sterile and all production is simply clones.

[KeithBC]

If the garlic flower is allowed to mature it produces bulblets, which are clones of the underground cloves. These bulblets may be planted successively for three years to produce normal cloves. It is a convenient method of getting sufficient seed stock. Garlic does not produce new varieties, since the flowers are sterile and all production is simply clones.

Thanks. I didn't know that.

That is useful to know, because our garlic tends to produce a single un-cloven bulb rather than separate cloves. I had to use practically all my harvest from last year for seed stock, which kind of defeats the purpose of growing it. I might let some flowers mature to see if they work better as seed stock.

[Durgan]

Thanks. I didn't know that.

That is useful to know, because our garlic tends to produce a single un-cloven bulb rather than separate cloves. I had to use practically all my harvest from last year for seed stock, which kind of defeats the purpose of growing it. I might let some flowers mature to see if they work better as seed stock.

Spring planted garlic often only produces one clove or bulb. Fall planted always produces cloves. I get from five to seven cloves of good quality. First year bulblets produced about three cloves. I will see what I get from them this year, the second year. I have about 15 of these planted.

[KeithBC]

Ah, that would explain it. I think I was late getting it planted last year - probably around January or February. This year, I planted in November, so it might do better. Thanks!

[Durgan]

16 June 2011 Garlic from 2010 16 June 2011 Garlic from 2010

Pictures are of hard neck garlic from the July 2010 harvest. The bulb is at the end of its storage life, since growth has started. The cloves are still reasonably firm, probably indicating that curing or drying was adequate.. The pictures indicate the scape or hard neck around which the cloves are clustered.

[gottadance]

14 June 2011 Garlic scapes 14 June 2011 Garlic scapes

The garlic scapes were removed today. Some scapes were steam cooked and eaten similar to cooking asparagus.

Hmmmm...I'll have to try this - I've always just used my scapes to season - not to eat like asparagus? How do they taste?

[Judi Dial]

Or, you could do this, which sounds yummy to me!
Lemon Scented Pasta with Garlic Scapes and Veggies Roots & Wings Family Farm

Judi