Rocambole

Garlic

Zone 1a Save Garden

🌱 240d to harvest Bulbing

Rocambole garlic unfurls with a bold, lingering aroma and a richly complex flavor—deeply savory with a gentle sweetness that bloo…

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Jun 15th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 15th
Harvest Begins	Feb 10th
Harvest Ends	Jul 15th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	240
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bulbing
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	50
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my rocambole garlic plants developing yellow leaves and stunted growth, and what can I do about it?

This pattern is commonly linked to Allium basal/neck rot (often triggered by wet soil and poor airflow). Remove and discard the worst bulbs, then improve drainage and spacing so the plants dry quickly after rain; avoid overhead watering during bulbing. During cool, damp spells, keep mulch pulled back from the garlic neck and don’t replant garlic in the same spot for several years.

How often should I water rocambole garlic during the main growing phase?

From active leaf growth through bulb forming, keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—about 1 inch (2.5 cm) per week, adjusted for rainfall and your soil type. Let the top 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) dry slightly between waterings, because Allium sativum bulbs rot when the soil stays saturated. In the final 3–4 weeks before harvest, reduce watering so the skins can cure and the bulbs hold up in storage.

How do I know when rocambole (Allium sativum) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when roughly the lower leaves turn brown and dry while the upper leaves are still mostly green (often around day ~240, depending on conditions). Check a few plants: the cloves should feel firm and well-formed, and the bulb wrapper should have developed papery skins. Lift on a dry day and cure in a shaded, airy place for 2–3 weeks before cleaning for storage.

Rocambole garlic unfurls with a bold, lingering aroma and a richly complex flavor—deeply savory with a gentle sweetness that blooms as it roasts. Expect large, easy-to-peel cloves wrapped in a satiny skin, offering a tender, creamy texture when cooked and a crisp, pungent bite when used fresh. A hardneck standout for gardeners who love strong allium character and want dependable bulbs for standout sauces, roasting, and pickling.

Sowing Tips

Transplant Conditions

Wait until soil reaches 45°F and nights stay above 28°F before moving outdoors.

Expert Note

Plant garlic cloves in fall so they can vernalize through winter; mulch heavily for even soil moisture and winter protection.