[Dai]

Hi all!
A mate of mine brought me back two cloves of elephant garlic from the food show at brum nec, those guys from the isle of wight were up there.
I read somewhere (probably here) that they need to go in early as they need time and the frost to establish the roots so they grow to a nice size.
I potted one clove up and left it outside on the windowsill two weeks before Christmas as my allotments not ready for planting yet because it refuses to stop raining.
I brought that pot back inside last week because i was worried about all the rain it was getting (and it was obviously well saturated because it still hasnt dried out at all)
So my question is, will the garlic be ok with the heat of the house? (theres a radiator below the window) or shall i put it back outside but cover the top of the pot so it doesnt get any wetter than it already is?
Thanks in advance, Dai.

edited spelling to avoid upsetting members from IOW

[DD.]

Put it back outside, it will positively hate the heat!

If you don't know Elephant Garlic is not a true garlic. It's a close relative of the leek and has a very mild, (to my taste buds, very little!), flavour.

[compostqueen]

I think Elephant Garlic is pants.  Chuck it and grow the real stuff 

[DD.]

I was trying to put it tactfully! 

[Ema]

I was hoping to grow some just because it looks so impressive. I haven't seen any in the shops and haven't got round to doing a big mail order

[DD.]

Size isn't everything!

In fact, in my opinion when it comes to Elephant Garlic, it's close to nothing!

[Jamrock]

As long as your compost/pot has half-decent drainage I wouldn't worry about the rain

[gavinjconway]

I'm trying some this year to use a roasted garlic... I also grow loads of normal so only doing a test to taste it..

[Dai]

Thanks for the advice peeps!

I read that it was quite mild (and i love my strong flavors) so thats a bit disappointing to hear.
I cant throw it tho cos it was a present so ill prob just give it back when its ready to pull.

Oh and by the way, I went to B&Q today to get some seed compost for my Lemon Drop Chilis (absolute dodo selection i must say) but they have 25% off all seeds, seed trays and propagators at the moment.

[compostqueen]

Lemon Drop chillies are a fave of mine, unlike Elephant Garlic

I was down the garden yesterday to check on the progress of my Carcassone garlic. It's well up and looking very perky and healthy 

[Dai]

Yes im quite exited about my lemon drops, probably going to try and plant some seeds this week. (not sure if thats wise or not as i only have 20 seeds and they apparently only have a 50% germination so i want to get these right)

Im really glad you posted though compostqueen because i just had a look at the standard garlic i bought from the range which ive STILL not planted out yet and one of the bulbs have started sprouting! HELP! can i still separate the bulb and plant it?

[DD.]

Get them ALL in - the others won't be far behind!

[Dai]

Oh hell, ive now got a right rush on!
Ive not even had time to dig over the part of the plot in which they were supposed to go (what with my crop rotation pattern and all)

ill pot them up tomorrow until ive had time to get all the weeds and couch out of that section i think but heres another question if i may?

does it matter where (within my rotation pattern) i plant the garlic? do they have any special requirements? like keeping away from manure or other plants?

(Damn, i didnt realise growing was this exiting!)

[Jamrock]

Garlic is grouped with onions which in turn are grouped with root veg in many rotations