When to plant Elephant Garlic in the UK

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
Plant out September to November, harvest April to July.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Plant outNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesNo
HarvestNoNoNoYesYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNo

UK averages · set your town for dates worked out from your local frost records · how dates are worked out

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Dates for your town

Set your town to see planting windows worked out from local frost history, not a generic UK calendar.

Growing guide for the UK

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

    late October to early November UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Dig the bed over around late October to early November. Work in garden compost or well-rotted manure. The soil must drain freely.

  2. 02

    Plant Cloves

    late September to early November UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Use named planting stock, not supermarket bulbs. Plant cloves during late September to early 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

    late September to early May UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    From late September to early May, keep the row clear of weeds. Water only in dry spells.

  4. 04

    Harvest Bulbs

    late April to early July UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Lift the bulbs when the foliage starts to yellow and collapse, from late April to early July. 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.