So I procrastinated about ordering elephant garlic and then could only find them from one place that I had never heard of before. It was late at night and I wanted to get some in the mail, on its way to me, so I just clicked the "add to my basket" button.
Well, the garlic arrived, 12 cloves making for a total of a hair over one pound. Attached to the bag was a document entitled "growing instructions" that stated the I needed to be really careful when breaking the cloves from the head and to not remove the paper skins from the cloves as the skins will protect the clove during the winter and from pests.
I looked at the bag of elephant garlic and noticed that half of the cloves are in the bag with no skin at all. They are already butt-naked and I had not even opened bag yet.
I called the company and the voicemail said to contact them via email for a faster response. I sent an email, received no response, sent another email, again no response and then tried calling again. After the fourth attempt at calling today I finally got a live person.
He said that it is no problem planting naked elephant garlic. He went further in saying that it is one of the few garlics, if not the only one, that can be planted without the paper skin still attached.
Is he right? Or is he just blowing smoke up my skirt? Anyone have any experience with planting naked elephant garlic?
And, yes, I do know that elephant garlic is not really a garlic and is more similar to a leek. I am just not sure what to expect if I plant these naked. I have never before done it with regular garlic.
And, yes, I already have another pound of elephant garlic on its way to me. I found another source that seems to be a bit more reputable.
Trellis
P.S. I have intentionally not yet mentioned the company's name. There were some other problems with the order and they are supposedly being taken care of. I will wait until this completely plays out before I bring up their name.
Well, the garlic arrived, 12 cloves making for a total of a hair over one pound. Attached to the bag was a document entitled "growing instructions" that stated the I needed to be really careful when breaking the cloves from the head and to not remove the paper skins from the cloves as the skins will protect the clove during the winter and from pests.
I looked at the bag of elephant garlic and noticed that half of the cloves are in the bag with no skin at all. They are already butt-naked and I had not even opened bag yet.
I called the company and the voicemail said to contact them via email for a faster response. I sent an email, received no response, sent another email, again no response and then tried calling again. After the fourth attempt at calling today I finally got a live person.
He said that it is no problem planting naked elephant garlic. He went further in saying that it is one of the few garlics, if not the only one, that can be planted without the paper skin still attached.
Is he right? Or is he just blowing smoke up my skirt? Anyone have any experience with planting naked elephant garlic?
And, yes, I do know that elephant garlic is not really a garlic and is more similar to a leek. I am just not sure what to expect if I plant these naked. I have never before done it with regular garlic.
And, yes, I already have another pound of elephant garlic on its way to me. I found another source that seems to be a bit more reputable.
Trellis
P.S. I have intentionally not yet mentioned the company's name. There were some other problems with the order and they are supposedly being taken care of. I will wait until this completely plays out before I bring up their name.
