How to pull garlic scapes? Teach you the correct pulling method
AbstractPulling garlic scapes is generally done in early May, and watering should be stopped 10 days before harvesting the scapes. Specific method: you can use a knife to cut open the false stem, then cut off the scape and pull it out, then twist the garlic leaves to cover the wound, or directly pull the garlic scape out by hand, but pulling garlic scapes by hand gives a lower yield than cutting with a knife, and it also requires a certain amount of skill. If conditions permit, you can also buy a garlic scape puller to remove the scapes; this method is both fast and leaves no marks.
1. How to pull garlic scapes
1. First use a knife to cut open the false stem, then cut off the scape and pull it out, then twist the garlic leaves to cover the wound.
2. You can also pull the garlic scapes out directly by hand. Generally, the knife-cutting method gives a relatively higher garlic scape yield, but the wound is prone to rot after being exposed to rain, while the hand-pulling method gives a relatively lower yield and also requires a certain amount of skill, so fewer people use this method.
3. Generally, you can choose to pull garlic scapes in the afternoon. During this time, you need to pinch the base of the garlic plant with your hand before pulling, or pierce the base of the garlic plant with a nail before pulling. The garlic scapes pulled out this way are relatively longer, and the wounds caused to the garlic plants are also relatively smaller, which is more conducive to the growth and development of the garlic bulbs.
4. From the beginning of garlic scape differentiation to harvest, the duration is about 40-45 days. Growth is relatively slow in the early stage and relatively fast after the tail flicks out. When most garlic scapes in the field have been pulled out about 25cm, the spathe begins to turn white, and the garlic scapes just begin to bend, they can be harvested in time.
5. The harvest time for garlic scapes should not be too early or too late. Harvesting too early will reduce the yield, while harvesting too late will result in more fiber growth and poor quality. Generally, you can choose to harvest in early May. If growth is uniform, they can be harvested completely in 1-2 times. 10 days before harvesting the scapes, watering needs to be stopped to encourage the garlic scapes and leaf sheaths to loosen appropriately, making it easier to harvest and pull the garlic scapes later.
6. When the spathe of the garlic scape is exposed 6-8cm from the leaf sheath, it can be harvested. Garlic scapes can also be removed using a garlic scape puller, which is both fast and leaves no marks. During this time, you can use your left hand to grasp the garlic scape exposed from the leaf sheath, and your right hand to hold the scape puller and clamp the garlic scape at the opening of the leaf sheath, then slide it downward, tilt it inward at about 5cm from the ground, and lift with your left hand to pull out the garlic scape.
7. After harvesting, they can be tied with soft rope, 0.5-1.0 kg per bundle, and after tying they can be stored in a shady and cool place.
2. How to pull more garlic scapes
1. After the sun comes out, cover the garlic plants with plastic sheeting. After waiting 2-3 hours, when the garlic plants begin to become soft, you can use your right hand to grasp the garlic scape cap and then lift it upward to pull out the garlic scape. The garlic scapes pulled out this way are both straight and long.
2. After pulling, you can drag the plastic sheeting forward and then cover another patch of ground ahead. This method gives a higher garlic scape yield than pulling without plastic sheeting, generally at least more than 25kg more per mu, and the pulled garlic scapes are not easily bent or broken, and there is no need to flick the tails, making the operation relatively convenient and simple.