Botanical Interests
Elephant Hardneck Garlic - USDA Certified Organic
Elephant Hardneck Garlic - USDA Certified Organic
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Product Details
Product Details
Cloves per bulb: 1-6
As the name implies, these tall plants produce gigantic bulbs containing 1–6 monstrous, tan cloves that are superb when roasted. Elephant garlic is more closely related to leeks; thus, the cloves have a mild, leek-like flavor. It also produces an edible scape. Prepare with vegetables or garlic-mashed potatoes for a hint of garlic/leek flavor. Stores 4 to 6 months.
Due to state restrictions, we cannot ship garlic to Idaho, Hawaii, and the following counties in Washington—Adams, Benton, Franklin, Grant, and Klickitat (including cities such as Othello, Pasco, Moses Lake, Kennewick, and Richland). Please do not order garlic if you live in one of these locations.
We source our garlic from local farms, where passionate farmers hand-harvest each bulb. This commitment not only supports our community but also ensures top-notch quality and flavor in every product.
Specification
Specification
Learn More
Watch this Before You Plant Garlic
Softneck vs. Hardneck Garlic: What's the Difference?
How to Grow Garlic in Raised Beds: A Complete Guide
Elephant Garlic: Super-Sized Alliums
How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Garlic In Your Garden
Is It Too Late To Plant Garlic? A Zone-By-Zone Guide
15 Garlic-Growing Mistakes To Avoid This Year
When To Plant Fall Garlic For The Best Yields
Why You'll Love It
Why You'll Love It
Who doesn’t love seeing a clove of garlic that’s easily the size of 3-4 other cloves? Elephant garlic is mild enough to add garlicky zest to your pasta without any heat, plus it’s phenomenal for making garlic bread.
- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
- Growing Info
Variety Info
Days to Maturity: 250-270 days (when planted in fall)
Family: Amaryllidaceae, subfamily Alleoideae (formerly Alliaceae) Allium or Onion family, includes onions, garlic, chives, shallots, and leeks.
Type: Elephant garlic
Native: Central Asia
Hardiness: Usually grown as an annual to harvest the bulbs, but can be grown as a perennial
Exposure: Full sun to part shade.
Variety Info: Truly massive cloves await you with this white garlic variety. Mild flavor, similar to a leek. Elephant garlic is a great option if you want the distinctive taste of garlic without the heat that can develop in other varieties. Bulbs contain 1–6 monstrous cloves.
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: Garlic is planted in fall for harvest 7 to 9 months later (midsummer). In areas with cold winters, sow individual cloves from mid-September to mid-November. Garlic is frost-hardy but ideally should be planted 4 to 6 weeks before the first hard freeze to give the bulbs time to establish roots. In areas with mild winters, garlic can be planted until January.
When to Start Inside: Not recommended if you want to grow bulbs. If you don't get your garlic in the ground, the cloves can be planted indoors any time of year for the green tops that make tasty garlic-flavored raw greens or stir-fry ingredients.
Seed Depth: Plant garlic 2"–3" deep with the pointed side up.
Seed Spacing: One clove every 6"–8"
Row Spacing: 12"–18"
Growing Info
Harvesting: Garlic bulbs are ready to harvest when the tops are approximately 40% yellow or brown or when the tops start to fall over. This is typically in June and July. Do not leave bulbs in the ground too long, or the skins will decay, reducing storage life. To harvest, lift the bulbs gently with a digging fork (flat tines) or a shovel, digging widely to avoid cutting into them. Gently brush off any loose soil and remove any damaged cloves, but leave the roots and shoots attached. Lay or hang the whole plant in a warm, airy location out of direct sun and protected from rain before curing. For more information, see Garlic: Harvesting, Curing, and Storage.
Special Care: After planting, apply 2"–4" of mulch (e.g., straw, untreated grass clippings, shredded leaves) to maintain moisture, insulate the cloves through the winter, and help prevent frost from pushing cloves to the surface. Loosen mulch in spring to allow shoots to push through thick or compacted mulch. In very cold climates, remove mulch after the last hard freeze to allow soil to warm more quickly. Reapply mulch after shoots emerge to maintain consistent moisture and reduce weeds. Remove weeds regularly to reduce competition for water and nutrients. In spring, hardneck garlic will produce a tall stem with a curlicue at the top and a swollen flower bud at the end. In most cases, this flower stalk, called a scape, should be removed to keep the plant's energy focused on bulb growth and to keep bulbs tight. Scapes can be eaten and have a mild garlic flavor.
