How Deep to Plant Elephant Garlic and How Far Apart to Space Cloves

Elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum var. sativum) might look and taste similar to garlic, but its closest relative would actually be leeks. A biennial plant, it takes two growing seasons for one bulb to develop before splitting off into individual cloves.

Maintain a moist but not waterlogged soil during the growing season. Once the foliage turns yellow or brown, harvest is necessary.

How Deep to Plant

Garlic requires rich, well-draining soil that can be amended with organic material such as compost. When planting garlic bulbs, incorporate compost into beds beforehand to refresh and reduce disease risks. Once established, garlic grows relatively easily while being resistant to both pests and diseases.

Plant your bulbs in autumn for optimal results; their longer growing season allows more cloves to form than with spring planting. Although spring planting works just as well, your bulbs may not grow as large compared to when planted during autumn.

When planting garlic bulbs, break apart each bulb into individual cloves while leaving its papery skin intact. Press each clove two inches deep into the soil with its pointed end upward and its flat root end facing down; space them four to six inches apart depending on your desired spacing for your garlic bed.

Maintain a weed-free space, water regularly according to seasonal rainfall, and fertilize with Bookcliff Garden Choice Vegetable Garden Fertilizer or another soluble fertilizer as soon as leaves begin growing in spring – over-fertilizing will hinder clove growth and lead to fungal issues!

As your cloves expand, mulch the planting area with straw, hay or wood chips to regulate soil temperature and moisture as well as suppress weeds. At 8-9 inches height, trim off flower stalks (known as “scapes”) so energy can be focused into the bulb itself.

How Far Apart to Space Cloves

Garlic plants thrive when planted in the fall, which gives them time to expand before entering winter dormancy. We discuss soil preparation, planting techniques and seasonal care so you can ensure a bountiful harvest.

Gardeners with plenty of growing space may opt to plant cloves at an even distance, which will encourage large bulbs. When planting in containers or smaller gardens, closer spacing may be more suitable; regardless of where your planting takes place, even spacing between each garlic clove ensures maximum vigor and harvest yields.

Once planted, add two to four inches of organic mulch such as straw, shredded leaves or wood chips over your garlic bed for optimal cultivation results. Mulch can regulate soil temperature while keeping moisture at a manageable level and suppressing weed growth, making it essential for successful garlic cultivation. As your garlic bulb progresses throughout spring and summer, water regularly to keep the soil damp but not waterlogged. As harvest time nears, decrease your watering frequency to avoid root rot and ensure proper curing. Once it is time to harvest your garlic crop, carefully pull it from either the ground or pot using a spading fork and brush off any dirt accumulations. If planting in fall, one or more bulbs might fail to separate into cloves – should this occur, you have two options for picking: either leave it be for another year’s harvesting process, or replant in autumn as planned.

Soil Preparation

Growing garlic requires optimal soil conditions; loose, nutrient-rich soil that drains well is ideal. Aim for pH levels between 6.0 and 6.5 and amend with compost or manure prior to planting for best results; heavier soils require larger additions while lighter ones can do with smaller additions of organic matter.

Once planted, mulch the beds to help regulate soil temperature and retain moisture throughout the season. A layer of two to four inches of shredded leaves, straw or wood chips works well; if using an existing garden bed to plant, avoid areas where onions or leeks grew last year to avoid disease issues such as white rot and rust.

Maintain the soil at a medium-to-light moisture level during the growing season, and remove flower stalks (known as scapes) regularly in order to divert energy towards bulb growth. Scapes are edible and can be lightly steamed or sauteed like asparagus for optimal growth.

As harvest season nears, reduce watering to allow for proper curing of bulbs. Once foliage begins turning yellow or brown, pull up and brush clean harvested garlic bulbs before storing in a cool dark area with good air circulation for later use. Garlic can last months when stored properly. It’s also essential that crop rotation practices be implemented – and avoid planting garlic where onions or leeks were previously grown.

Planting

Elephant garlic should be planted between September and October in cooler climates and February in milder ones, to give its cloves enough time to mature into large bulbs for cooking purposes. Cloves can also be planted during spring planting if necessary, though their harvest may not be as large.

As with other allium family plants, garlic prefers loose, nutrient rich soil that drains well. Compost or well rotted manure should be mixed into your soil before planting your garlic beds. Once planted, cover your garlic beds with two to four inches of organic mulch such as straw or shredded leaves to regulate soil temperature, retain moisture levels, suppress weeds and protect from frost in colder areas.

Keep the ground consistently moist by adjusting based on rainfall and other factors, since garlic plants are susceptible to fungal diseases that require well-draining soils. Water regularly, taking care not to over-water as this could cause bulb rot; use Bookcliff Garden Choice Vegetable Garden Fertilizer once every month throughout their growing season, then in fall remove any green tops called “scapes” as these drain energy from bulbs you hope for and want bigger.