arise garlic from store - bought cloves is by all odds a possible action , including elephant garlic . While it may not be the most ideal option , it can still grant satisfactory outcome . I have in person tried growing garlic from storehouse - buy Eugenia caryophyllatum , including elephant garlic , and I can deal my experience and backsheesh with you .
Firstly , it ’s important to note that store - buy garlic may have been treated with chemical substance to prevent sprouting and extend its shelf life . This can reduce its viability for growing . Therefore , it is advocate to choose organic Allium sativum , as it is less probable to have been treat with these chemicals .
To plant store - bought elephant garlic , follow these step :
1 . take the cloves : Look for great , healthy cloves with no polarity of damage or disease . Elephant garlic cloves should be large and plump , similar to regular garlic garlic clove but much larger in size .
2 . ready the soil : Garlic choose well - drain , fertile ground . Amend your soil with organic topic such as compost to improve its grain and natality . insure that the soil pH is slightly acidulent to achromatic ( around 6.0 - 7.0 ) .
3 . Planting deepness and spacing : Plant the clove pointed finish up , about 2 - 3 inches cryptic , and space them around 6 - 8 inches apart . Make indisputable to leave enough blank between rows as well .
4 . Watering : Keep the soil consistently moist , but avoid overwatering as garlic medulla can rot in waterlogged soil . Water deeply once or twice a week , depending on the rainfall in your area .
5 . Mulching : Apply a stratum of organic mulch , such as chaff or shredded leaves , to assist keep back soil moisture , suppress weeds , and provide insulation during colder month .
6 . fecundate : Garlic is a heavy feeder and benefits from steady fertilisation . use a balanced organic fertilizer or compost during planting and throughout the growing season . Avoid using gamy - nitrogen fertilizer , as they can promote unreasonable leaf growth at the expense of medulla development .
7 . Harvesting : Elephant garlic typically takes longer to ripen compared to regular garlic . Harvest when the leaves plow yellow and start to fade , commonly in late summertime or former autumn . Gently compass up the bulbs with a garden fork , being careful not to damage them .
It is worth mentioning that stock - bought Allium sativum may not farm the same character and variety as garlic sourced from specialised baby’s room or seed catalogs . These generator tender a wider range of garlic varieties , each with its own unique relish and characteristics . So , if you are interested in exploring unlike garlic varieties , it is commend to obtain garlic specifically meant for plant .
While you’re able to plant storehouse - bribe elephant garlic , it is important to take organic cloves and be aware of the potential limitation . Experimenting with different source of garlic , such as nursery or seed catalogue , can provide you with a wide variety of choice and potentially better resolution in terms of flavor and growth . felicitous garlic gardening !
Caroline Bates
