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 London
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 London · last frost ≈ 4 Apr
| Activity | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant out | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Harvest | No | No | No | No | 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
10 Nov to 24 NovDig the bed over around 10th November - 24th November. Work in garden compost or well-rotted manure. The soil must drain freely.
02
Plant Cloves
11 Oct to 24 NovUse named planting stock, not supermarket bulbs. Plant cloves during 11th October - 24th 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
11 Oct to 23 May 2027 Dates as each sowing reaches this stageFrom 11th October to 23rd May 2027, keep the row clear of weeds. Water only in dry spells.
04
Harvest Bulbs
9 May to 27 Jul 2027 Dates as each sowing reaches this stageLift the bulbs when the foliage starts to yellow and collapse, from 9th May 2027 to 27th 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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Elephant Garlic guides by town
See how Elephant Garlic timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.