When do i harvest my elephant garlic

This is especially important during the first few weeks of spring growth, but should be continued during the rapid growth phase. In loose soils, you can pull them up by hand; otherwise, loosen and lift the soil with a spading fork. Some growers braid the tops together and hang them up in small bunches to facilitate curing. A fan set on low, to ensure good air circulation, will accelerate the curing process.

After curing, a tough shell forms around the bulbs. Next, trim the roots and remove the stalks half an inch above the bulb. It will last as long as 10 months in storage, and will develop a fuller flavor than fresh elephant garlic.

Elephant garlic can grow as high as five feet, producing attractive flowers. Some gardeners allow them to develop as ornamentals. If the elephant garlic flowers, cut it off to redirect energy to the bulb. Elephant garlic requires two months of temperatures around 40 degrees Fahrenheit, which encourages bulb and flower growth, along with root establishment.

If your summer season runs long and hot, hold off on putting bulbs in the ground until temperatures dip consistently. This results in a later harvest and ensures proper bulb growth. One inch of water per week in well-draining soil does the trick.

If you live in an area where spring and summer temperatures run hot, this will mean increases in regular watering to avoid stress and small harvests. To rectify this, plant your garlic in autumn, whenever temperatures are consistently cool. Green Elephant Garlic is available now from the Newchurch shop and on our website. Our seed Elephant Garlic can be ordered from the website , ready to be delivered in September.

Website build and e-commerce by BoxStuff. HOW TO COOK IT Thanks to its whopping size, Elephant Garlic makes a dramatic centrepiece when roasted whole; separate the cloves after cooking and let diners squeeze out the garlic flesh themselves to enjoy the warm, unctuous paste within.

Word Count: Sign up for offers and news: Stay in touch. These scapes draw energy from the plant that should be going toward bulking up the bulb. 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. Likewise, it's important to keep weeds under control around elephant garlic plants, as they will compete with the elephant garlic for space and nutrients. Once the foliage begins to turn yellow or brown, you'll know it's time to harvest your elephant garlic.

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. After curing, you can cut off any remaining roots and all but about an inch of the flower stalks. Store them where they will remain at around 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit and no more than 50 percent humidity.

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.

Elephant garlic plants prefer to grow in full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days. They can grow in partial shade, but you will typically get larger bulbs if you grow these plants in full sun. Elephant garlic prefers a loose, organically rich soil with a neutral soil pH.