Garlic Elephant

Description: Although commonly called garlic this is actually a type of leek. It is the only variety unaffected by garlic rust. Our Elephant garlic came to Northland with the Dalmatian Gumdiggers and has been kept going ever since, a sure sign it was enjoyed by many. Beryl Harrison believed in it and kept it alive and well for many years before it became popular again around 30 years ago. Thanks Beryl, this one is here by your effort (love). It grows huge, and produces an edible flower spike and underground bulbils as well. Sometimes the cloves planted, become large round bulbs we call ‘mother bulbs’, these can be used to grow huge bulbs the following year.

Planting Instructions: Garlic grows best in light, well-drained soil in a sunny position. Enrich the soil with compost and apply ramial wood chip mulch after planting to help suppress weeds. Plant cloves approximately 15cm apart on the diagonal from April to May. Elephant Garlic flower heads should be removed while young, before opening, to encourage larger cloves. The flower heads are also edible. Stop watering when the tops begin turning brown. Harvest once the leaves are brown, but before they have completely died back, as bulbs may begin splitting. Carefully lift bulbs with a fork and cure them undercover, protected from rain and direct sun, with plenty of airflow. Keep tops attached during curing and storage.

More growing information here