I planted two bulbs of elephant garlic this spring. Now they both have long stalks and are getting what looks like seed heads at the top. What do I do with these plants? Prune off the head? Will they make a big bulb with or without that top? Please tell me what to do? Thank you.

-- R. (thor610@yahoo.com), June 23, 2000

Answers

Send your question along with a SASE (and perhaps a couple of extra postage stamps) to Charles O'Sullivan, P.O. Box 1650, Poke City, FL 33868-1650. He is a commercial grower of elephant garlic and should be able to answer your question.

-- Ken Scharabok (scharabo@aol.com), June 23, 2000.

R, I've never grown elephant garlic, but on all my other alliums I just snap out the flower stalk. Suspect that would be the best thing to do with these. Generally an allium that has decided to flower doesn't make the biggest or best bulb, but it should be ok. Gerbil

-- Gerbil (ima_gerbil@hotmail.com), June 23, 2000.

I RAISE ELEPHANT GARLIC EVERY YEAR FOR LAST TEN YEARS. I PLANT ON THE SHORTEST DAY OF THE YEAR AND HARVEST ON THE LONGEST DAY. WHEN THE HEADS SHOOT UP I CUT THEM OFF, THIS IS USELY ABOUT MID SPRING. AFTER HARVEST ILET IT LAY IN THE SUN FOR FOUR OR FIVE DAYS AND STORE IN A COOL DRY PLACE. MY COOL DRY PLACE IS AN OLD NON-WORKING FREEZER IN THE BARN. I LIVE IN N.C.

-- DON HOWARD (dessertmaker2000@hotmail.com), June 23, 2000.

Joel, my hubby, is changingthe tobacco beds ovr tothis plant

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), June 23, 2000.