Russian Giant
The classic elephant garlic for UK gardens. Produces very large bulbs with a mild, sweet flavour and stores well over winter. Reliable in most soils, as long as they are not waterlogged.
When to plant Elephant Garlic in Dundee
Allium ampeloprasum var. ampeloprasum
A hardy allium grown from planting cloves, not true seed. Use named planting stock, not supermarket bulbs. It does best in a sunny, free-draining bed. Autumn is the main crop. Lift the following summer.
120 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water
Calibrated to Dundee · average last frost around 3 May
| Activity | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant out | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Harvest | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
Growing guide
What to do through the growing season
Growing guide for
Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.
Plant cloves in a prepared bed. They sit through winter and bulk up for harvest the following summer.
01
Prepare the Bed
25 Oct to 8 NovDig the bed over around 25th October - 8th November. Work in garden compost or well-rotted manure. The soil must drain freely.
02
Plant Cloves
25 Sept to 8 NovUse named planting stock, not supermarket bulbs. Plant cloves during 25th September - 8th November, pointed end up, with the tip about below the surface. Space apart, in rows apart. Water only if the soil is dry.
- Birds pull cloves. Cover the row with fleece or mesh until they root.
03
Keep Weed Free
25 Sept to 7 May 2027 Dates as each sowing reaches this stageFrom 25th September to 7th May 2027, keep the row clear of weeds. Water only in dry spells.
04
Harvest Bulbs
23 Apr to 11 Jul 2027 Dates as each sowing reaches this stageLift the bulbs when the foliage starts to yellow and collapse, from 23rd April 2027 to 11th July 2027. Ease them up with a fork. Dry them in a warm, airy place for two to three weeks before storing.
Suggested varieties
Popular varieties of Elephant Garlic to consider
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