Allotments 4 All

Went down the lottie today & noticed that one of the types of garlic I planted have started to bolt. I pinched off the flower spike, is there anything else to do?

Plus, I noticed that one or two of my spring planted onions are starting to do the same.  Is anyone else having this trouble?

Yes it does happen. The particular bulbs that bolt are still usable, but will not keep well in store, so should be used first ...

It's normal for some types (not all, as you spotted) - just snip the flowers off and they'll be fine :)

The stalks are called scapes and are a product of hardneck garlic. If you don't remove them they will reduce the vigour of the plant. They are, on the plus side, a relatively expensive luxury with many recipes for their use.

Quote from: djbrenton on June 03, 2006, 22:42:03
The stalks are, on the plus side, a relatively expensive luxury with many recipes for their use.

OMG dj I composted mine :-[ :'( Never again! ::) ;D
the stalks and buds are very tender - hints as to where to find recipes?

Thanks guys, I was worried my crop was going to ruin. What a relief! :D

I noticed this morning that my elephant garlic had started.....the little buds are inside my roasting chicken as I write 8)

Oh lish! Don't rub it in! :'( ;)

These little buds........do they taste like garlic & other than putting them in a chicken, how else would you cook/eat them?

Garlic stalks are really nice in stir fries.
If they are tender I would just stir fry them but if they are tough I would boil it first and then stir fry. They are indeed very much sought after in Japan and China! :P They taste of garlic but very subtle.

Quote from: supersprout on June 03, 2006, 22:45:22

Quote from: djbrenton on June 03, 2006, 22:42:03
The stalks are, on the plus side, a relatively expensive luxury with many recipes for their use.

OMG dj I composted mine :-[ :'( Never again! ::) ;D
the stalks and buds are very tender - hints as to where to find recipes?

I made pesto with mine last year - YUM!
http://www.reallygarlicky.co.uk/main.html and go to This Month's Recipes and anything with garlic scape in...

I confess to growing Marco garlic simply because it DOES grow scapes! (And large, unfiddly cloves) even if it doesn't store as well. We still get it to last till March.

moonbells

thank you moonbells! and for the recommendation for Marco - on the list for next year :P ;D

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

moonbells

One of my varieties is Marco too. The scapes I've had from it are quite fiery, in fact they burn the tip of your tongue. Anyone else found it to be stronger than other scapes?

Hi
Thanks for the tip on using the flower shoots.  went up lottie this eveningand  found that loads of the garlic had bolted since saturday, so pinched stalks off and used them in my curry  ;D ;D ;D  I would never had known to use them if hadn't been for this thread  ;D ;D  they were yummy.

I  live this web site

Paula

Joy larkcom says that some varieties are meant to flower and it's not a problem just remove the flowers 2-3 weeks before lifting the garlic, however she doesn't say which varieties these are. I have MArco which are all beginning to produce flower buds and thermidrome which ain't.

Should I be removing the buds from Marco or leaving them as she suggests? Or have I misread her??? OMG the metaphysical angst of it all. :o :o

OMG the metaphysical angst of it all.

ROFL  ;D ;D ;D

(and no answer - not if it produces such gems as this!!.....)

;D ;D ;D

One of my elephant garlics had a flower stalk on it last night - I lifted the whole bulb same as I'd been told to do with onions.

I take it that was wrong??  ::)

(modified to change the smiley, as it made me look like I was really bad tempered rather than just naive and curious!!)

Just break it off and leave the plant. The bulb ends up significantly larger. Don't worry though; just cook it green.

The purple garlic were starting to fall over, one by one (white ones still stiff and proud)
So I harvested the lot - it's about a month ahead of when I'd expect to be doing it :o
Out of 80 heads, three were rotten. The rest are in plastic mesh baskets, basking in the sun ;D
Anyone else harvesting this early?