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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Derekthefox on October 02, 2005, 20:34:35

Title: elephant garlic
Post by: Derekthefox on October 02, 2005, 20:34:35
I have just bought my red onion sets from my local market stall, and also some seed garlic heads. I enquired about elephant garlic and the pitch holder told me it comes in later than proper garlic, he suggested ' a few more weeks'.

Is this correct, and so when is the best time to plant it. Any advice concerning this would be welcome as it is new to me.

Thanks

Derekthefox :D
Title: Re: elephant garlic
Post by: gayle on October 02, 2005, 20:59:01
best time to plant garlick is october or feburary.
Title: Re: elephant garlic
Post by: Obelixx on October 03, 2005, 08:14:54
Elephant garlic likes to be planted in autumn.  If you google, there's quite a bit of info out there.  I'm trying it his year for the first time too.
Title: Re: elephant garlic
Post by: Debs on October 03, 2005, 15:39:28
My elephant garlic is drying out at the mo.

Previous posts suggest that it is not as garlicky as it

sounds, and is more onion in flavour.

I'm a bit disappointed if this is so, as I was looking forward

to whole heads of beautiful garlic to roast :(
Title: Re: elephant garlic
Post by: Derekthefox on October 03, 2005, 15:42:23
Debs,
I have also heard that it is rather mild, but considering it's size, I am sure it will still be delicious! It is worth trying anyway. Tell me your conclusions ...

Derekthefox :D
Title: Re: elephant garlic
Post by: Obelixx on October 03, 2005, 16:10:00
Apparently it's a relative of the leek and not a true garlic so has a milder flavour.   Worth trying though, I reckon.
Title: Re: elephant garlic
Post by: Lady Cosmos on October 03, 2005, 16:28:52
Elephant garlic is surely worth growing. It is a bit milder than the normal garlic but the taste is great and it is very juicy. I plant it every year the last weekend of October, so there is time enough. ;D. I plant is very deep because garlic needs a cold time, but my soil is sandy, it can be different with other soil, I guess.
Title: Re: elephant garlic
Post by: Derekthefox on October 15, 2005, 18:52:30
Finally bought some, got 14 corms for £4.50, I gather that is about the going price, 30p per corm.

Just need to get it planted now ...

Derekthefox :D
Title: Re: elephant garlic
Post by: redimp on October 15, 2005, 19:19:27
Does elephant garlic have the same medicinal benefits that traditional garlic has?
Title: Re: elephant garlic
Post by: Derekthefox on October 15, 2005, 21:58:56
Personally, I haven't got a clue, but I doubt it because it is not related to normal garlic, as already posted. Anyway, I bought it because I am curious, and want to have a go ...

Derekthefox :D
Title: Re: elephant garlic
Post by: redimp on October 15, 2005, 23:42:47
I don't grow them because they are so mild - might consider it one day for roasting.    Was aware of the leek connection and had the same suspicion as you Derek but was sort of hoping the question might catch the eye of someone like Premtal so I could get the definitive.
Title: Re: elephant garlic
Post by: Derekthefox on October 16, 2005, 00:10:11
Yes, I will hope too redclanger, because I am quite willing to admit just how uneducated I really am ...

Derekthefox :D
Title: Re: elephant garlic
Post by: Rosyred on October 16, 2005, 08:27:57
I brought 3 garlic bulbs from the garden centre a few weeks ago and am due to plant shortly.

Do I

Plant the whole bulb or brake up and plant each each clove?

Which do you think works better?

RR
Title: Re: elephant garlic
Post by: Derekthefox on October 16, 2005, 09:24:17
Individual cloves, just like normal garlic ...

Derekthefox :D