Here is what Elephant Garlic needs to thrive.

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Elephant Garlic

Allium ampeloprasum var. ampeloprasum

Zones 4–9

Growing

Elephant garlic suits gardeners who enjoy the mild, onion-like flavors of the Allium family. Because this is a perennial, you can establish your garden using tubers, bulbs, or crowns, or start seeds indoors to transplant later. When preparing your garden bed, make sure the soil is well-drained to prevent waterlogging, as the roots prefer a site that does not hold excess moisture. This variety grows in full sun or partial sun and is hardy, capable of surviving a hard freeze.

As your plants develop their single upright stems, keep the growing area clean. Good weed control around the base of the plants prevents competition for nutrients. Once the bulbs are ready, harvest them promptly, as they do not continue to ripen after they are picked. After the harvest, let the bulbs cure for over two weeks before storing them. Keep them unwashed and store them in a cool, dark cellar or at room temperature.

Stats
Sunfull sun
Watermedium
Grow time>150 days
Height1–3ft
Spacing6–12in
Light
Full sun✓
Part shade✓
Shade✗
Traits
Life cycleperennial
Categoryallium
Growth habitupright
Seasoncool
Frost tolerancehardy
Height1–3ft
Spacing6–12in
Days to maturityover 150
Growing
Watermedium
Drainagewell drained
Soil ph min6.0
Soil ph max7.5
Propagation
Seed✓
Cutting✗
Division✗
Graft✗
Tuber bulb crown✓
Transplant✓
Container ok✓
Pollinationself fertile
Pollinator friendly✓
Toxic parts
Leaves✗
Seeds—
Raw✗
Post harvest
Wash before storing✗
Ripens off plant✗
Curing daysover 2wk
Shelf lifeover 3mo
Storage methods
Room temp✓
Cool dark✓
Fridge✗
Freeze✓
Can✗
Dry✓
Ferment pickle✓
Blanch before freezing✓
Calendar, zone 7
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Sownoyesyesyesnononononononono
Harvestnonononononoyesyesnononono