Where to Buy Elephant Garlic Bulbs: A Guide to Finding and Purchasing This Unique Variety

With its mild, sweet flavor and enormous size, elephant garlic has become a popular ingredient for home cooks and gardeners alike. If you’re looking to get your hands on some elephant garlic bulbs, you have quite a few options. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about buying elephant garlic bulbs, from where to find them to how to select high quality bulbs.

What is Elephant Garlic?

Let’s start with a quick primer on what exactly elephant garlic is. While it’s sometimes confused with regular garlic, elephant garlic is actually a completely different species, Allium ampeloprasum

Some key facts about elephant garlic:

• Much larger bulbs and cloves than regular garlic, with a milder flavor

• Closer related to leeks than regular garlic

• Native to the Mediterranean region and parts of Asia

• Perennial that can be grown as an annual or left to overwinter

• Hardy in zones 3-9

So in a nutshell, elephant garlic is a larger, milder variation of garlic that offers versatility in the garden and kitchen. Now let’s look at the options for purchasing bulbs.

Where to Buy Elephant Garlic Bulbs

There are several places you can buy elephant garlic bulbs, including:

Online Retailers

Many seed companies and online garden stores sell elephant garlic bulbs. Amazon has numerous listings at various price points, allowing you to comparison shop. Other online retailers like Burpee, Jung Seed, and Keene Organics also sell bulbs.

Local Nurseries and Garden Centers

Check with local nurseries and garden stores, especially those that stock a wide selection of herbs and vegetables. Many will carry elephant garlic bulbs when they are in season in fall and early spring.

Farmer’s Markets

Farmer’s markets are another place you may find local vendors selling elephant garlic bulbs, particularly in the fall harvest season. Ask vendors if they plan to have elephant garlic or take pre-orders.

Direct from Growers

In some areas, you may be able to purchase elephant garlic bulbs direct from regional growers, such as at farm stands. This is a great option for obtaining fresh, local bulbs.

Grow Your Own

You can also simply grow your own elephant garlic bulbs! Save bulbs from your harvest to replant for the next growing cycle. Many gardeners continually replant their own garlic year after year.

As you can see, you have plenty of options for sourcing your elephant garlic bulbs. Keep in mind availability and prices may vary based on location and season.

What to Look for When Buying Bulbs

When selecting elephant garlic bulbs, either online or in person, keep these tips in mind:

• Choose large bulbs – Larger bulbs contain more cloves and will grow into larger plants. Pass on bulbs that are unusually small.

• Select firm, fresh bulbs – Bulbs should feel firm and heavy for their size, not lightweight or mushy. Avoid bulbs with mold, sprouting, or other damage.

• Check for basal roots – The small white rootlets emerging from the bulb base are a good sign of freshness. Avoid bulbs with dried out or absent basal roots.

• Consider organically grown bulbs – Bulbs labeled organic, sustainably grown, or chemical/pesticide-free appeal to many gardeners.

• Buy from reputable sellers – Be cautious buying from sellers you’re unfamiliar with. Read reviews and descriptions thoroughly.

By keeping these guidelines in mind, you’ll be able to select robust, healthy elephant garlic bulbs that will grow productively.

How Many Bulbs Should You Buy?

As a general rule of thumb, each elephant garlic bulb will yield around 4 to 6 garlic cloves for planting. To get a decent harvest:

• Plant 12-20 cloves per person for fresh eating garlic

• Plant 50+ cloves if you want long term storage garlic

• Plant 100+ cloves for selling/commercial purposes

Adjust as needed for your specific planting goals. For most home gardeners, starting with 10-20 good sized bulbs is sufficient. You can always plant more the next season once your harvest comes in.

When to Buy Elephant Garlic Bulbs

Timing is an important factor when buying elephant garlic bulbs:

• Fall – Best time to get bulbs for October/November planting

• Early Spring – Order bulbs in early spring to plant as soon as soil can be worked

• Avoid Summer – Bulbs often aren’t available in summer months

Plan ahead and purchase bulbs during peak periods to get the best selection and availability.

How Much Do Elephant Garlic Bulbs Cost?

Expect to pay around $10 to $20 per pound for elephant garlic bulbs, depending on source, specific variety, organic status, and other factors. Per-bulb prices typically range from $2 to $5 each. Bulbs sold in bulk quantities tend to cost less per bulb.

While the bulbs themselves may be a bit pricier than regular garlic, you also get significantly higher yields from each planted clove. For the unique flavor and versatility of elephant garlic, the cost is well worth it for most gardeners.

Storing Bulbs Upon Arrival

Once your elephant garlic bulbs arrive, proper storage is important:

• Inspect bulbs and remove any with damage, mold or signs of rotting.

• Store unplanted bulbs in a cool (65°F), dry location with good air circulation.

• Avoid storing bulbs in plastic bags, which can trap moisture and encourage spoiling.

• If not planting right away, loosely wrap bulbs in paper towels and place in an open basket or crate.

• Check periodically for any bulbs starting to sprout or mold and remove them.

• Ideal storage time is 4-6 weeks. Plant bulbs as soon as possible for best viability.

Proper storage will help keep your elephant garlic bulbs fresh until you are ready to plant them in the garden.

Planting Your Elephant Garlic Bulbs

Once you have your bulbs, it’s time to plant! Here are some tips:

• Break bulbs into individual cloves prior to planting, do not plant whole.

• Plant the largest, healthiest cloves to get the best results.

• Plant cloves 2-3 inches deep and 6-8 inches apart in rows.

• Choose a sunny spot with nutrient rich, well-draining soil. Amend if needed.

• Plant fall bulbs 4-6 weeks before the ground freezes. Plant spring bulbs as soon as soil can be worked.

• After planting, cover rows with 3-4 inches of straw mulch to insulate and reduce weeds.

• Water thoroughly after planting and weekly unless rains suffice. Too much moisture will cause rot.

• Harvest when about 2/3 of leaves have turned yellow. Cure bulbs for 2+ weeks.

Follow these tips and with proper care you’ll be harvesting your own delicious elephant garlic bulbs come next summer!

Enjoy the Unique Flavor of Elephant Garlic

Adding elephant garlic bulbs to your garden is an excellent way to grow an uncommon vegetable with unique appeal. As you can see, elephant garlic bulbs are widely available if you know where to look and what to look for. Follow the guidelines in this article to find and select high quality bulbs. Then with proper planting and care, you’ll be able to enjoy fresh elephant garlic seasoning in your cooking for years to come. Get your hands on some bulbs and start growing this intriguing allium today!