[scabs]

Every one of my overwinted garlic bulbs has bolted - seeminy overnight; do I simply nip off the heads or pull em?

[DavidT]

Pull them.

[radiohead]

I've just pulled my garlic and they are currently suspended from the bean poles drying......bearing in mind how hot i'ts forecast to be how long should I give them?

[barbarella]

I've just pulled my garlic and they are currently suspended from the bean poles drying......bearing in mind how hot i'ts forecast to be how long should I give them?

Mine are on the patio, lying on a length of chicken wire to give them good air circulation.  I would just leave them until rain is forecast, which in this area could be next Christmas!  I wish it would rain though - I want to get my brassicas in  - boo hoo 

[Trikidiki]

No don't.

You can take off the 'seed spike', which the yanks call a scape, and use it to flavour anything you want a mild garlic flavor, e.g. stir fries.

If the leaves are still green the bulb will continue to grow as normal then harvest as you would normally when the leaves start to yellow. Even if you leave them on the bulb will still develop normally, not like an onion. If left on the resulting buls will not reach their full potential but will not get a tough centre like an onion.

[Trillium]

I'm with trikidiki - just snap off the seedhead asap and leave the rest. I do it every year as the darned things always want to throw up seeds.

[scabs]

Thanks everyone, the leaves are still green, so I'll nip off the flowerheads and leave them to it for a while.

Unfortunately, every single PSB has bolted too!

[mobilekat]

I think with the weather this year everything is going to try to bolt!

so shall we name 2010 'The Year of the Bolting Vegetable.'

Not quite as catchy as the Year of the Tiger etc, but very true!

[scabs]

I think we should!

My tubs of salad leaves bolted a couple of weeks ago but they make such a pretty display that I've left them!