Elephant Garlic

[Bacchus]

Hi Guys,

I hope everyone's plots are producing well.

I have a couple of elephant garlic questions. This years crop has been really good - upwards of 80 bulbs - though I'm planning on increasing my crop next year so keeping at least a quarter of them as seed. Bulb size has been mixed - but I'll keep the biggest cloves to plant again.

1. Are there any issues in planting elephant garlic in the same bed for two or three years in a row? I don;t think there is but just asking if anyone has experience of this.

2. What's the best way of ensuring the corms germinate. I know that they take two years to mature into a bulb but has anyone had consistent success in getting these to develop? I know some of mine have previously grown but it's been very hit and miss. I'm tempted to soak them overnight before planting to reduce the hardness of that outer shell.

many thanks for any advice.

[Jay-ell]

I find that the growth of corms is very hit and miss - I guess that as the last grasp at survival they don't want to sprout too easily.

I've tried planting them straight away before the shell hardens, soaking and nicking the hard shell but none seem to guarantee that they'll shoot this season.

[lottie dolly]

AS Jayell says,i to have tried a few years ago to get the babies to grow,but no luck,

[Jay-ell]

I'm now putting the corms into a designated area of the garden (permanent EG patch) and then harvesting the plants from there when they've grown up a bit. Should be ready next year to try transplanting the larger plants into the garlic bed to see how big they grow.

[Bacchus]

I'm now putting the corms into a designated area of the garden (permanent EG patch) and then harvesting the plants from there when they've grown up a bit. Should be ready next year to try transplanting the larger plants into the garlic bed to see how big they grow.

That's a good idea - I'll try that.
Thanks.