Keywords: bolted garlic, garlic scapes, garlic bolting, garlic flower stalk, garlic farming tips
If you’re growing garlic and notice a long, curly shoot emerging from the top, you’ve encountered what gardeners call bolted garlic. While garlic bolting is natural, it can affect your harvest and garlic bulb size—unless you know what to do.
In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about bolted garlic, including how to manage it, why garlic scapes matter, and what steps you can take to ensure a healthy garlic crop.
What Is Bolted Garlic?
Bolted garlic is a garlic plant that has sent up a flower stalk (called a scape) before its bulbs are fully mature. This process is known as bolting, and it usually happens when the plant experiences certain environmental stresses—especially cold weather after sprouting.
Garlic is meant to form large underground bulbs. When it bolts, energy is redirected from the bulb to seed production, reducing the final size and quality of the garlic bulb.
What Are Garlic Scapes?
Garlic scapes are the curly, green flowering shoots that grow from the center of bolted garlic plants. These scapes are not just signs of bolting—they’re also edible and delicious.
Why Are Garlic Scapes Important?
Scapes are the first sign of garlic bolting.
Removing them can redirect energy back to bulb growth.
They are a gourmet ingredient with a mild garlic flavor—great in stir-fries, pestos, and pickles.
Garlic scapes typically appear in hardneck garlic varieties, which are more prone to bolting than softneck types.
What Happens When Garlic Bolts?
When garlic bolts, it tries to flower instead of focusing on bulb formation. This can result in:
Smaller bulb size
Split or soft bulbs
Reduced storage life
📊 Research from the University of Minnesota Extension (2022) found that bolting can reduce garlic bulb size by up to 30%, especially if scapes are not removed.
Does Garlic Bolt?
Yes, but not all garlic bolts equally.
| Garlic Type | Bolting Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hardneck | High | Common in colder climates |
| Softneck | Low | Preferred for warm regions and longer storage |
Garlic bolts under these conditions:
Extended cold exposure (especially after sprouting)
Sudden weather changes
Drought stress or poor soil nutrition
How to Prevent Garlic from Bolting
You can’t completely stop garlic from bolting, but you can reduce the chances:
Best Practices to Prevent Garlic Bolting:
Choose softneck garlic varieties in warm climates.
Avoid early fall planting—too early can lead to premature sprouting.
Apply mulch to stabilize soil temperature.
Water consistently to avoid drought stress.
Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers after early growth stages.
Case study: Growers in Oregon (OSU Extension, 2021) who mulched and avoided over-fertilization saw bolting drop by over 40%.
What to Do When Garlic Bolts
If your garlic has already bolted, here’s how to save your harvest:
1. Cut the garlic scape early
Trim it as soon as it appears, preferably before it curls.
This tells the plant to redirect energy to the bulb.
2. Use the garlic scapes
Don’t waste them—they’re packed with flavor.
Add them to recipes just like garlic or green onions.
3. Harvest on time
Bolted garlic doesn’t store well.
Harvest before bulbs start splitting or softening.
Garlic Bolting Impact: Data Snapshot
| Condition | Avg Bulb Weight | Storage Life | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| No Bolting | 60–70g | 6–9 months | Ideal size, long storage |
| Bolted + Scape Removed | 50–60g | 4–6 months | Good size if managed early |
| Bolted + Scape Left | <50g | <4 months | Lower quality and short storage |
Sources:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I still eat bolted garlic?
Yes. The bulbs may be smaller and have a shorter shelf life, but they are completely edible.
Q2: Can I grow garlic from scapes or seeds?
No. Garlic is typically grown from cloves, not from seeds or scapes. Bolting produces bulbils, but they take several years to mature into usable garlic.
Q3: Should I harvest bolted garlic earlier?
Yes. Once a plant bolts, it’s best to harvest slightly earlier to avoid splitting and reduce rot risk.
Q4: Are garlic scapes healthy?
Absolutely. Garlic scapes are rich in antioxidants, vitamins A and C, and have a milder flavor than mature garlic bulbs.
Conclusion
Bolted garlic is a common issue for gardeners, especially in cold climates or with hardneck varieties. Fortunately, with early scape removal and smart growing practices, you can minimize its impact. And don’t forget—garlic scapes are a delicious bonus!
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