Topic: garlic - elephant v normal

[aquilegia]

I'm rather tempted by this elephant garlic but it does seem awfully expensive.

Is it as easy to grow as the normal stuff?

does it keep?

and most importantly - is it yummy?

[Sarah-b]

Hi Aqui - so we're both simultaneously planning our garlic for next year! I didn't grow any this year as we only took the plot on in March. I've just checked the garlic farm website, and the elephant garlic grows 5ft tall - that would be pretty stunning wouldn't it?

[Mrs Ava]

Well my hephalump garlic didn't reach 5 foot, but it was the only garlic on my plot that remained rust free!  From the 8 cloves I planted I harvested 4 proper HUGE garlics plants with seperate cloves, altho only about 5 or 6 per plant, but the other 4 didn't bulb up so were just like huge garlic flavoured onions.

I am going to grow it again as it is good for roasting or making dressings with, as well as for use in regular cooking.  In my opinion, it has a milder sweeter taste, almost sticky.  When I do my roast veggies I use a clove and just cut it into segments, they are so lovely and big, one clove goes a long way!