This mega-sized bulb - Elephant garlic

This mega-sized bulb is actually part of the leek family and has a delicious, mild flavor

1. Get quality elephant garlic seed bulbs from garden centers or specialists rather than supermarkets. You need peat-free compost, modular trays or 6cm pots, a label and a watering can.

2. Half fill the pots with compost and break the garlic into cloves. Choose large ones and place a clove in each pot, pointed end facing up.

3. Top the compost and label them clearly. Water the bulbs lightly and place the pots in a greenhouse or cold frame where they will be cool and protected from the elements.

4. Keep the compost moist, but not soggy. Elephant garlic needs a long, warm growing season, so keep them indoors until spring, when they're ready to plant.

5. Find a sunny spot with good drainage; Soils that are too moist and wet can spread diseases. Remove weeds and add organic matter to increase nutrients. Plant seedlings 15 cm apart.

6. Remove the flowers as soon as you see them so the plant doesn't go to waste energy to produce them. Garlic is ready when the leaves turn yellow-brown. For best results, do not delay harvesting.

Elephant sized moderate taste

The name elephant garlic refers to the fact that it is twice the size of normal garlic bulbs, however, the flavor is much milder. Elephant garlic is actually very closely related to leeks. After harvesting, do not wash them, but brush off the soil and store in a cool place. Let them cure in a dark place for eight weeks so they last longer. They should be spread out so that they do not touch each other and the air can circulate around them. Because of its mild flavor, some people like to eat it raw in salads, but we think it tastes best cooked.

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