If you planted garlic last fall, you’ll probably be harvesting it sometime next month–depending on your location. If you are growing a hardneck variety, the garlic will send up a scape this month that would, if allowed, eventually flower. {The scape usually appears about a month before harvest time–so make a mental note to help you know approximately when your garlic will be ready}.
You don’t want to allow the scape to flower, because it takes valuable nutrients from the bulb and makes the actual garlic bulbs much smaller.
Don’t just cut the scape off and toss it, though! You can do sooooo much with those babies. If you never have, I seriously recommend making garlic scape pesto. Scapes have a milder flavor than the bulbs, so the pesto is super tasty without being over-powering. You can also chop them like scallions and saute them in stir fry, soups, etc.
At the very least, chop them up and use them as an organic bug killer {add water, chopped garlic scapes and dish soap to a spray bottle, it takes daily effort, but it works pretty well on pests like aphids}.
If you didn’t grow garlic this year, be on the lookout for garlic scapes at your farmers’ market. This is the one time of year they are available for purchase, which makes them somewhat of a delicacy in my opinion.
Now, onto the bulb. Knowing when to harvest the garlic bulbs is pretty simple once you get the hang of watching for the signs. First, as I mentioned, it is about a month after the scapes appear {for hardneck varieties}.
Second, it’s best to harvest garlic when the bottom 5 leaves have turned brown. If you wait any longer, the leaves will continue to brown, and the garlic does not store as well. The tops of the garlic should still be green as can be, those green leaves will protect the bulb during the curing process {drying out the garlic for storage}.
To harvest garlic, carefully dig around the bulb. Don’t pierce the bulb in any way, or it won’t be suitable for longterm storage. Life the entire bulb and stalk out of the ground and allow it to dry for several days in a dark, cooler spot {like a garage}.
Don’t worry about the dirt left on the roots, you can deal with that later. Cure them with the roots and stalk intact. Once the garlic is cured, you can cut off the roots and stalks {it usually takes about 2 weeks to cure} or leave the stalks and braid them for storage–it’s completely up to you.
What is your favorite thing to do with garlic scapes? When do you typically harvest garlic in your neck of the woods?
~Mavis
Kathy says
I use the garlic scapes in arugula and spinach mustard pesto AND basil pesto. Make it, freeze it (without cheese) in cubes and use the rest of the year until next June, when it’s available again. I’m the only one in my house (pretty much my family too for that matter) who likes making pesto.
Tracey says
I just put olive oil, salt, and pepper on mine and grill them. There are never enough scapes they are so good.
Zoe says
So, I planted my garlic in the spring instead of the fall… guessing this was a bad idea. I live in Iowa. They were sprouting and looking great for about a month, and then started to wilt and die back. Any chance these puppies are going to make a comeback, or do I just need to replant in the fall? My purpose for planting was actually to deter squash bugs from my zucchini and butternut, but doesn’t look like they’ll be doing much good for that. Why were they selling the garlic bulbs in the garden center if it was the wrong time of year? Thanks for any thoughts you may have!
Cecily says
Just harvested 50 heads of softneck garlic yesterday for storing. The remaining 50 heads are hardneck varieties that have been sending up scapes for a couple weeks and we have been enjoying them grilled.
Brooke says
We planted the soft neck variety in November, and just harvested a few days ago. We have been getting a ton of rain lately, just north of Atlanta, so leaving to dry in the beds isn’t an option. I read to dry them in the sun, so they are in the greenhouse now. Should I move them to the basement?
Amy says
This is my first year growing garlic. I planted the soft neck variety – we’re located in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. I haven’t harvested yet, but plan to do so this weekend. The top leaves are still fairly green (brown on the ends), and the bottom leaves are completely brown.
Jennifer says
This is my first year growing garlic. I literally just googled this the other day too, I swear you have been on point with the timing of these posts!
Scott says
Wish I knew some recipes as 2 weeks ago I cut back all the scapes and tossed them into the compost pile. I have 3 double rows of garlic (1st time growing it) that are about 15′ each. Planted last fall. I’m growing Duganski (hardneck) and Susanville (softneck). Just waiting for leaves to die back a bit but should be harvesting late this week or next week. Would love to hear what varieties people are growing and loving. I plan to share with family and replant again in the fall.
Tim says
Thank you! I needed this info.
Sherry says
This is my first attempt I planted mine in April not really sure when to harvest them I’m I’m Louisiana the bottom leafs. are not brown yet are they ready and if not how long do I have to wait