Growing garlic is simple, but there is a second underrated crop from hardneck varieties, and this one is rarely seen in stores. So, when you see stems coming out of plants in late spring or early summer, it is highly recommended to harvest garlic scapes.
These unique stalks only appear when you grow hardneck garlic; you do not get to harvest garlic scapes with softneck varieties. In spring, you will notice the stalks being produced before the bulbs fully mature. They are edible, tender like asparagus and with a delicious, mild garlic flavor, and can be used in soups, stews, stir-fries, or are perfect for making pesto.
