The Spruce / Jayme Burrows
Elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasumvar.ampeloprasum) is an odd little plant.
Elephant garlic is a biennial, meaning it completes its life cycle in two growing seasons.
You typically will get a single bulb in the first year when the plant doesn’t flower.
The Spruce / Jayme Burrows
In the second year, the one bulb typically divides into multiple separate cloves.
Fall-planted garlic might have enough time to split into cloves.
Elephant Garlic Care
To plant an elephant garlic bulb, first, divide it into cloves.
The Spruce / Jayme Burrows
Gently press down the soil over the cloves, and water it lightly.
Elephant garlic will send up flower stalks, orscapes, just like regular garlic.
These scapes draw energy from the plant that should be going toward bulking up the bulb.
The Spruce / Jayme Burrows
So cut the scapes back before they begin to curl or bloom.
The scapes are edible, so they don’t have to go to waste.
Pull up the plants, and brush off as much dirt as possible from the bulbs.
If you don’t plan to use your bulbs right away, they will need to be cured.
Spread them out in a cool, dark spot with good air circulation for around three to eight weeks.
Dont wash the bulbs yet, as this can cause them to rot.
Under these conditions, they can keep for roughly eight to 10 months.
There are no cultivars of elephant garlic.
You might see it offered as hardneck or softneck, but both types will produce similar bulbs.
Soil
Elephant garlic prefers a loose, organically rich soil with a neutral soil pH.
Sharp soil drainage also is key for growing these plants, as they do not tolerate being waterlogged well.
Water
These plants need regular watering while they are actively growing.
Water enough so that the soil remains lightly moist but not soggy.
Overwatering can rot the bulbs.
A planting site thats somewhat sheltered from strong, harsh winds is ideal.
Also, a layer of mulch around the plants can help to protect the roots from extreme temperatures.
High humidity can lead to fungal growth and rot on the plants.
But adequate soil drainage and air circulation can help to protect them from this.
Fertilizer
When planting your elephant garlic, work somecompostinto the soil for a good organic fertilizer.
Add another layer of compost the following year if you havent yet harvested your bulbs.
But it’s not recommended to use any chemical insecticides if you plant to eat the garlic.
Fungal diseases and rot will often afflict plants growing in wet conditions.
You’ll know elephant garlic is ready to be harvested when you see the leaves turning yellow or brown.
