Elephant garlic requires a full growing season of cold temperatures to form its massive, mild-flavored bulbs. If you have been searching for how to grow elephant garlic, you are in for a treat because this plant is one of the most rewarding crops for home gardeners. Unlike regular garlic, this allium produces cloves that are huge, yet the flavor is surprisingly gentle, making it perfect for roasting or slicing raw into salads.
The good news is that this giant is not actually a true garlic. It is a bulbous leek, but it behaves just like garlic in the garden. Because it is so forgiving, it is an excellent choice for beginners who want a big harvest without a lot of fuss. Let us walk through every step, from planting the cloves to storing the final bulbs.
Why Grow Elephant Garlic
Before you dig into the dirt, it helps to understand what you are getting. Elephant garlic bulbs can weigh up to a pound each, and they are packed with a sweet, onion-like taste. They are also more productive than standard garlic, often producing multiple layers of cloves.
Another big reason to grow them is the scapes. In early summer, the plant sends up a curly flower stalk that you can chop up and use like a garlic scape. If you remove the scape, the plant puts all its energy into making a bigger bulb below ground.
You also get a lot of plant for your money. One single clove can turn into a bulb that contains several large cloves, plus a bunch of small round bulbils if you let it flower. These can be planted too, though they take a couple of years to reach full size.
Choosing The Right Planting Time
Timing is the most critical factor for success. Elephant garlic needs a period of cold, usually below 50°F, to trigger bulb formation. In most climates, you will plant in the fall, about four to six weeks before the ground freezes solid.
This gives the roots time to establish before winter. The plant will go dormant in the cold, then wake up in early spring with a head start. If you live in a mild winter area, you can plant in late winter, but the bulbs will be smaller.
For northern gardeners, aim for October. For southern gardeners, November or even early December works well. The goal is to get the clove in the soil while the soil temperature is still around 50°F, but dropping.
Can You Plant In Spring
Yes, you can plant in spring, but you will not get huge bulbs. The plant will still grow, but without the cold period, it may form a single round bulb, similar to a potato, rather than segmented cloves. This is called a “round” and it is still edible, but it is not what you want if you are aiming for massive heads.
If you miss the fall window, you can fake the cold by putting the cloves in the fridge for six weeks before spring planting. Just keep them dry in a paper bag, away from fruits that release ethylene gas.
How To Grow Elephant Garlic
Now we get to the core of the matter. The process is simple, but attention to detail makes the difference between small bulbs and giants. Let us break it down into easy steps that you can follow right away.
Selecting The Perfect Site
Elephant garlic loves full sun. You need at least six hours of direct sunlight daily, but eight is better. The more sun, the bigger the bulbs and the stronger the flavor.
The soil must drain well. If water pools on the surface after a rain, the cloves will rot underground. If you have heavy clay, build a raised bed or mix in plenty of compost before planting.
Soil pH should be between 6.0 and 7.5. A slightly acidic to neutral range is ideal. You can test your soil easily with a kit from a garden center, and adjust with lime to raise pH or sulfur to lower it.
Preparing The Soil Properly
Start by loosening the soil to a depth of at least 12 inches. Elephant garlic roots go deep, and compacted soil will stunt the growth. Remove all rocks, weeds, and old roots.
Mix in a generous amount of aged compost or well-rotted manure. This adds organic matter and nutrients. Do not use fresh manure, as it can burn the young roots and introduce pathogens.
Before planting, work in a balanced fertilizer, like a 10-10-10 formula. Apply it according to the package directions, and rake the bed smooth. This gives the cloves a nutrient-rich bed to grow in.
Breaking Apart The Bulbs
Purchase certified disease-free bulbs from a nursery, not the grocery store. Grocery store garlic is often treated to prevent sprouting, so it will not grow well.
Carefully break the bulb into individual cloves, keeping the papery skin on. The largest cloves produce the largest bulbs, so save the biggest ones for planting. Use the smaller ones in the kitchen.
Do not peel the cloves. The skin protects them from rot and pests. Just separate them gently, leaving the base plate intact where the roots will emerge.
Planting Depth And Spacing
Plant each clove pointy side up, about 2 to 3 inches deep. In colder climates, plant a bit deeper, up to 4 inches, to protect the clove from freeze-thaw cycles.
Space the cloves 8 to 10 inches apart in the row. The rows themselves should be at least 12 inches apart. This gives each plant room to spread its leaves and form a large bulb.
After placing the clove in the hole, cover it with soil and press down gently. Do not pack the soil hard, as the roots need air to grow.
Watering After Planting
Water the bed thoroughly after planting. This settles the soil around the clove and starts root growth. Keep the soil moist but not soggy for the first few weeks.
Once the ground freezes in winter, stop watering. The plant is dormant and needs dry conditions to prevent rot. In spring, resume watering when you see new green shoots.
During the growing season, water deeply once a week if there is no rain. The soil should be moist down to 6 inches. Mulch helps retain that moisture.
Mulching And Winter Care
Mulch is your best friend for elephant garlic. After planting, apply a 4 to 6 inch layer of straw, shredded leaves, or grass clippings. This insulates the soil and prevents heaving.
Heaving happens when the soil freezes and thaws repeatedly, pushing the cloves out of the ground. The mulch keeps the soil temperature more stable, so the cloves stay put.
In early spring, pull back some of the mulch to let the soil warm up. Leave a thin layer to suppress weeds and hold moisture. As the weather warms, the mulch will break down and feed the soil.
Feeding And Fertilizing Schedule
Elephant garlic is a heavy feeder. It needs a steady supply of nitrogen to grow tall, strong leaves. The leaves are what feed the bulb underground.
In early spring, when the shoots are about 6 inches tall, side-dress with a high-nitrogen fertilizer. Blood meal or fish emulsion are excellent organic choices. Apply it along the row, then water it in.
About a month later, feed again with a balanced fertilizer. This supports the rapid leaf growth that happens in late spring. Stop fertilizing once the scapes appear, as too much nitrogen can delay bulb formation.
Recognizing Nutrient Deficiencies
If the leaves turn yellow from the bottom up, the plant needs more nitrogen. If the tips are brown and crispy, it might be lacking potassium. A soil test is the best way to know for sure.
You can also do a quick foliar feed with liquid seaweed to provide trace minerals. This helps the plant stay healthy and resist disease. Just spray it on the leaves in the evening.
Managing Weeds And Pests
Weeds steal water and nutrients from your garlic. Keep the bed weed-free, especially in the first two months. Hand-pull weeds carefully so you do not disturb the shallow roots of the garlic.
Mulch does a great job of suppressing weeds, but you will still need to check weekly. A sharp hoe can cut small weeds before they become a problem.
As for pests, the most common is the onion thrips. These tiny insects suck the sap from leaves, causing white streaks. You can wash them off with a strong jet of water or use insecticidal soap.
Deer and rabbits usually avoid garlic, but they might nibble on the leaves in spring. A fence or a repellent spray can keep them away. The strong smell of the leaves usually deters them.
Dealing With Diseases
The biggest disease problem is white rot, a fungus that lives in the soil for years. It causes yellowing leaves and a white, fuzzy growth on the bulb. There is no cure, so prevention is key.
Rotate your crops. Do not plant garlic in the same spot more than once every three years. Also, ensure good air circulation by spacing plants properly and avoiding overhead watering.
If you see any diseased plants, pull them out immediately and dispose of them in the trash, not the compost pile. This stops the disease from spreading to healthy plants.
Harvesting Your Giant Bulbs
The harvest time is the most exciting part. Elephant garlic is ready to harvest when the lower leaves turn brown and dry, but the upper leaves are still green. This is usually in mid-summer, about 90 to 100 days after planting.
Stop watering about two weeks before harvest. This allows the soil to dry out and the outer skins to tighten up, which helps the bulbs store longer.
To harvest, loosen the soil with a garden fork, then gently lift the bulbs by hand. Do not pull on the leaves, as they can break off and leave the bulb in the ground.
Curing For Long Term Storage
Curing is essential for flavor and storage. After harvesting, do not wash the bulbs. Instead, shake off the loose soil and leave the leaves attached.
Bundle the plants in small bunches and hang them in a dry, shaded, well-ventilated area. A garage or shed works well. Let them cure for three to four weeks.
The bulbs are cured when the outer skin is papery and the roots are dry and brittle. The leaves should be completely brown and dry. At this point, you can trim the roots and cut the tops.
Storing Your Harvest
Store cured elephant garlic in a cool, dry, dark place. The ideal temperature is between 50°F and 60°F. A pantry or a basement shelf is perfect.
Do not store in the refrigerator, as the moisture will cause sprouting. Also, keep them away from potatoes, which release moisture and gases that cause spoilage.
Properly cured and stored, elephant garlic can last for several months. Check them periodically and remove any that show signs of rot or sprouting, so they do not affect the others.
Saving Cloves For Next Season
One of the best parts of growing your own is saving seed for next year. Choose the biggest, healthiest bulbs from your harvest and set them aside.
Do not use the small cloves for planting, as they will produce small bulbs. Only the largest cloves from the largest bulbs are worth replanting.
Store the seed bulbs in the same conditions as the eating garlic, but label them clearly. Then, at planting time, you can break them apart and start the cycle again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elephant Garlic Easy To Grow
Yes, it is very easy. It is more forgiving than regular garlic and grows in most climates. As long as you give it cold weather, sun, and good soil, it will thrive with minimal care.
How Many Cloves Does One Bulb Produce
A typical elephant garlic bulb contains four to six large cloves, plus a few smaller ones. Some bulbs can have more, but the number is usually lower than regular garlic, which has 10 to 20 cloves.
Can I Grow Elephant Garlic In A Pot
Yes, you can, but you need a large pot. Use a container that is at least 12 inches deep and 12 inches wide for one plant. Make sure it has drainage holes and use a quality potting mix.
Why Are My Bulbs Small
Small bulbs are usually caused by planting too late, not enough sun, or poor soil. Also, planting small cloves will give you small bulbs. Always use the largest cloves and give them plenty of space.
When Should I Harvest The Scapes
Harvest the scapes when they curl into a loop, usually in early summer. Cut them off at the base. This directs energy back into the bulb, making it bigger. You can eat the scapes like regular garlic scapes.
Final Thoughts On Growing Giants
Growing elephant garlic is a simple process that gives you a big reward. The key is to plant in fall, give the plant full sun, and be patient. The cold winter does the work of triggering bulb formation.
Do not be afraid to experiment. Try different planting depths or mulch types to see what works in your garden. Each year, you will learn more and get better results.
With a little effort, you will be pulling up bulbs that are the envy of your neighbors. The mild, sweet flavor is perfect for roasting whole, and the large cloves are so easy to peel. It is a fun crop that makes you feel like a pro gardener.
So go ahead and order some bulbs today. Find a sunny spot, prepare the soil, and get them in the ground before the frost. Your future self will thank you when you are harvesting these massive, delicious bulbs next summer.