Garlic shoots grow from the center of the garlic bulb and end in flowers or bulblets. They appear in the second year of the garlic's life, when it enters the generative phase. The shoots can be straight or curved, depending on the garlic variety.
Why pick off garlic shoots
You need to pluck garlic scapes to increase the size and quality of the bulbs. When garlic releases energy to form scapes, it takes it away from the growth of the bulbs.
Therefore, if you do not pick off the shoots, the bulbs will be smaller and will not be stored as well. Also, picking off the shoots helps the garlic ripen earlier and prevents it from overgrowing.
How to pick garlic arrows
Garlic shoots need to be picked at a certain time and in a certain way. The time of picking depends on the type of garlic and the climate, but on average it happens in June-July.
You need to pick it when the stalk is still soft and has not yet had time to curl into a spiral. You need to pick it carefully so as not to damage the leaves and stem of the garlic. You need to pick one stalk at a time, grabbing it by the base and slightly turning it. The cut stalks can be used in cooking or composted.
Summary
Garlic shoots are shoots that grow from garlic bulbs. By plucking them, you can get large, high-quality bulbs.
You need to pick them in June-July, when the shoots are still soft. The cut shoots can be eaten or composted.
