A British gardener has set a new world record for cultivating the largest garlic bulb, adding to his portfolio of vegetable-growing achievements. Graham Barratt, 67, from Abbeydale, Gloucester, successfully grew an elephant garlic bulb weighing 1.75 kilograms (3.86 pounds) with a diameter of 19 centimeters (7.5 inches), according to Guinness World Records. This size is approximately 35 times the weight of a typical supermarket garlic bulb.

Barratt’s record-breaking garlic, grown at Primrose Vale Farm in Gloucestershire, was harvested on June 20 after being planted on September 6 of the previous year. He cultivated 37 elephant garlic plants under varying conditions in an effort to identify the factors contributing to the largest growth. The bulb’s weight is comparable to that of four standard footballs and is estimated to be sufficient to flavor about 1,400 servings of pasta sauce.

Elephant garlic belongs to a botanical species related to, but distinct from, common garlic. Barratt described the specimen as a “monster” even within its own species, noting the stem’s circumference was 20 centimeters at ground level, larger than typical garlic stems. He emphasized the complexity of vegetable cultivation, citing multiple variables such as weather, diseases, and pests that influence plant growth, along with the need for quality seed, knowledge, and a degree of luck.

The official assessment of the garlic took place at Wargrave Nursery Plant Centre in Berkshire. In the same event, Barratt also secured a record for the heaviest pea pod, weighing 28 grams.

Barratt has been active in vegetable growing for much of his life and began working on a communal farm with access to commercial polytunnels about a decade ago. Primrose Vale Farm, where the garlic was grown, will feature the world-record garlic in its farm shop when the product becomes available next year. Barratt plans to plant new elephant garlic crops this September in hopes of breaking additional records.

He also expressed his intention to reclaim other world records that have been surpassed by growers elsewhere, including for the largest tomatillo, which was recently taken by a grower in Germany. Barratt’s prior record-holding produce includes a mangetout measuring 180 millimeters (7 inches) and a luffa reaching 1.396 meters (4 feet 7 inches), a tropical squash commonly used as a natural loofah.