[Deano27]

i remember when i bought my hardneck garlic (from the really garlicky company) that they said the scapes need to be removed at some point in the spring.  at the moment they're about 8 inches high.  when should i remove them.  and how close to the bulb should i make the cut?

also i heard you can eat them, any suggestions on what to do with the scape?

[DD.]

As regards where to cut I don't think it really matters, as long as you remove the flower head.

Plenty of recipies if you Google 'Garlic scape recipe' here's one..

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/mighty-appetite/2006/06/my_friend_the_garlic_scape_1.html

[compostqueen]

pesto  

Have they got scapes on already then?

[Deano27]

well they have stems that are about 8 inches tall at the moment.  i'm presuming these are what are meant by scapes.  i've seen a few pictures on recipe websites and theirs seem to be longer so i'm tempted to wait.

and will give pesto a try.  though just seen a recipe for scape houmous, sounds great.

[compostqueen]

hummus is lovely innit.  I like to stir a bit into my couscous  

The scapes appear at the end of a toughish stalk. They're described as looking like a heron's neck and head, the head being the scape)

[gregmcalister]

Leave the stems where they are just now. The scape is the small flower head that will be produced a bit later in the spring. I've planted the same garlic and they're probably about the same height as yours. I've only got stem and leaves at the moment.

[gregmcalister]

I can't remember now...is the scape the beginnings of a flower or just a seed head?

[compostqueen]

I thought it was a seed head but not sure, or little bulbils  :?

[gregmcalister]

Here's a pic to help...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnbaird/178638603/

[Trillium]

The scape is like a flowerhead which produces the bulbils rather than true seeds. You'll notice it by its central location, thicker stalk, greater height and bud forming tip. Best to cut it out before it gets too large as it saps the root energy which diminishes root bulb size.