harvesting rounds early, for big rounds?

[Darren Abbey]

Originally Posted by henry

If you had to cut a scape off them they will have divided if not they will be rounds. Those hardnecks that do not form a scape are always rounds.

I noticed my garlic patch didn't produce any scapes at all this year. I had lots of rounds, but also plenty of divided bulbs. The rounds are larger than the cloves I planted last year and are set aside for planting this fall.

[bower]

Originally Posted by Father'sDaughter

Those look great, Bower! A few even look like they wanted to separate this year. Hopefully next year your be pulling up full heads.

Yes indeed, this seems to be a way to size them up alright. I have ten 3rd year Persian Star growing from cloves, will be interesting to compare the size of them.
Some of the 'rounds' looked almost clove shaped or angular when I pulled them, but after cleanup they are looking more rounded, and clearly have no divisions - except for one which, you're right, looks like it has tried to or made a division on one side.

Strangely the mini-bulbs with scapes had a very thin skin that just rubbed right off. It looks like the divisions are below the surface, maybe the top layer will dry and become a skin as well. Only the one with no scape, that seems divided, still has a skin, like the rounds.