Elephant Garlics in London
Allium ampeloprasum var. ampeloprasum
A hardy allium grown from planting cloves rather than true seed, with large bulbs and a milder flavour than garlic. In the UK it does best in a sunny, free-draining bed, planted in autumn and lifted the following summer.
Growing Guide
Step-by-step instructions for growing Elephant Garlic
Planting Calendar
Growing Guide for
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Use this for a later start if the ground was too wet in autumn. Bulbs still need a free-draining site and a long growing season to make decent-sized heads.
Prepare the Bed
13 Feb – 28 FebDig over the soil around 13th February - 28th February and mix in compost or well-rotted manure. Raise the bed slightly if your ground is heavy, as elephant garlic dislikes sitting wet.
Plant Cloves
28 Feb – 16 MarSet the cloves in during 28th February - 16th March, with the pointed end up and the cloves deep. Space them apart, then water in well to settle the soil around each clove.
Keep Weed Free
7 Apr – 4 SeptFrom 7th April to 4th September, hoe off weeds while they are small and keep the planting evenly moist in dry weather. Avoid overwatering, as the bulbs need steady growth rather than soggy soil.
Harvest Bulbs
6 Jun – 6 JulLift the crop once the tops begin to yellow and flop over, usually between 6th June and 6th July. Cure the bulbs somewhere dry and airy for two to three weeks before trimming and storing them.
Companion Plants
Tap a plant to see why it works (or doesn't) with Elephant Garlic.
Good companions
Plants to avoid
Why companion planting matters
Companion planting can deter pests, improve pollination, and make better use of space. Some plants confuse pests or attract beneficial insects; others improve soil or offer shade to neighbours that need it.
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Also in nearby towns
See how Elephant Garlic timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.