When to plant Elephant Garlic in Nottingham

Allium ampeloprasum var. ampeloprasum

Elephant Garlic
Elephant Garlic · 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

Add to garden

Calibrated to Nottingham · last frost ≈ 20 Apr

Plant out October to November, harvest May to July. Frost risk November to April.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Plant outNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNo

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.

  1. 01

    Prepare the Bed

    7 Nov to 21 Nov

    Dig the bed over around 7th November - 21st November. Work in garden compost or well-rotted manure. The soil must drain freely.

  2. 02

    Plant Cloves

    8 Oct to 21 Nov

    Use named planting stock, not supermarket bulbs. Plant cloves during 8th October - 21st 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.

  3. 03

    Keep Weed Free

    8 Oct to 20 May 2027 Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    From 8th October to 20th May 2027, keep the row clear of weeds. Water only in dry spells.

  4. 04

    Harvest Bulbs

    6 May to 24 Jul 2027 Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Lift the bulbs when the foliage starts to yellow and collapse, from 6th May 2027 to 24th 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

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.

Elephant Garlic guides by town

See how Elephant Garlic timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.