Garlic is a healthy and flavorful vegetable that you can grow in your own garden.
However, to get a good harvest of garlic, you need to know how to properly care for it.
One of the important procedures is pruning the garlic shoots that appear on the plants in mid-summer, says Anastasia Kovrizhnykh .
What are garlic scapes and why should you trim them?
Garlic scapes are flower stalks that grow from the center of the garlic leaf rosette.
At the end of the arrow, a spherical head with small cloves - babies - is formed. The babies can be used to propagate garlic or as a seasoning.
However, if you leave the shoots on the plants, they will take away the strength and nutrients needed to form large heads of garlic.
In addition, the arrows make the plants stiff and difficult to harvest.
Therefore, to get more and better quality garlic, it is recommended to trim the shoots on time.
When and how to trim garlic shoots
The best time to trim garlic shoots is the end of June - beginning of July, when they have not yet had time to take hold and rise vertically.
If you cut the scapes too early, the plants may suffer from infections or rot. If you cut the scapes too late, they may damage the leaves or heads of garlic.
To trim garlic shoots, use a sharp, disinfected knife or pruning shears.
The arrows need to be cut off at a distance of 5-10 cm from the top of the leaf rosette.
Once trimmed, the shoots can be dried, frozen, or preserved for later use.
Trimming garlic shoots is a simple but effective measure to improve the yield of this healthy vegetable.
By following these rules, you will be able to get more large and aromatic heads of garlic in your garden.
Earlier, the expert told us which trees can be planted in the shade.
Expert: Anastasia Kovrizhnykh
