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 Glasgow
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 Glasgow · last frost ≈ 25 Apr
| Activity | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant out | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Harvest | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Growing guide
What to do through the growing season
Growing guide for
Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.
Use this if the ground was too wet in autumn. Heads are usually smaller. They still need a free-draining site.
01
Prepare the Bed
11 Mar to 26 MarDig over the soil around 11th March - 26th March. Mix in compost or well-rotted manure. Raise the bed slightly if the ground is heavy.
02
Plant Cloves
26 Mar to 11 AprUse named planting stock, not supermarket bulbs. Plant cloves during 26th March - 11th April, pointed end up, with the tip about below the surface. Space apart, in rows apart. Water only if the soil is dry.
- Skip planting if the bed sits wet.
- Birds pull cloves. Cover the row with fleece or mesh until they root.
03
Keep Weed Free
25 Apr to 8 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stageFrom 25th April to 8th October, hoe off weeds while they are small. Keep the planting evenly moist in dry weather. Do not leave the soil soggy.
04
Harvest Bulbs
24 Jul to 8 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stageLift the crop from 24th July - 8th October once the tops begin to yellow and flop over. Ease the bulbs up carefully, then dry them somewhere warm and airy for two to three weeks before trimming and storing them.
Suggested varieties
Popular varieties of Elephant Garlic to consider
Related plants
Explore similar plants you might like
Basil
Sow indoors March, plant out May, harvest June to September. Frost risk October to April.
Brussels Sprouts
Sow indoors March, plant out May, harvest September to February. Frost risk October to April.
Calabrese
Sow indoors March, plant out May, harvest July to September. Frost risk October to April.