I don't think that you have much to worry about ... the top portion of my garlic that will grow into the head is around 2 inches deep at this point and I've not had any problem at this depth. Never had any success with elephant garlic so can't help there.

These are not delicate plants and should do fine. Remember that on the hardneck garlic you should cut off the scapes so all the strength goes into the bulbs. Scapes are good in omelets, stir-fried... Don't allow them to get past the tender green stage.

What is that, the green, long leaves? Do I have to trim them all off?

Wanda

Nope, leave the long green leaves. In about a month or so, you'll see a stalk emerge from the center of the hardneck garlics - about the thickness of a pencil. It's actually a seed stalk and if left to its own, it will grow above the plant and initially curl up to three times and stay that way for a few weeks. It will then uncurl and probably stand 3 or so feet above the plant and turn hard and woody before opening the top capsule to reveal a bunch of little seed-like things called bulblets. These could be planted the next season but it'll take two years before they get big enough to give nice sized heads.

The rationale to cut off the seed stalks - scapes - is to have the garlic put all of its energy into producing the biggest bulb possible. In some garlic varieties, this matters much more than others but they're such good eating that I usually just leave one on per variety to compare maturity and play around with planting the bulblets.

Thank you so much for the info.

I planted all my garlic last fall. All hardneck, I hate softneck! Looks like those scapes will come out in the next few weeks. Right on time for your advice! Thanks again

Wanda