Pod, that is what you have. It is actually a segmented leek which sometimes just makes a round bulb. Mine usually divide. True garlic doesn't produce those hard corms.

I think I have discovered the reason that I always see elephant garlic in individual mesh bags in the grocery store. Originally I thought it was so that people couldn't break off one segment and leave the rest unsalable. I think though it is to hold the bulbs together because they want to divide, sort of like a flower opening. And then they don't look so pretty.

Thanks for pointing me in a direction on this ID. I will have to do some reading. I have always been curious and loved the idea of it being vintage to this area.

I read in your blog that you hoped the raccoons wouldn't discover your newly planted garlic. Have they bothered it in the past?

I ask because something rummaged in my small garlic bed this spring digging up quite a few bulbs. I suspected either a raccoon or a possum. I may never know who or why.

Thanks again for reading this and giving me an idea of what I have.

Raccoons haven't bothered my garlic in recent years. The first time i tried growing garlic I didn't plant it deep and something did dig around and find it. Not sure what. I'm older and wiser now

Another thing about your elephant garlic is that if you cut off the bloom stalk as soon as you see it starting to grow, the plant will then send it's energy downward and you might get a bulb that divides into several. More bang for the buck so to speak. Some of mine do stay as single rounds though, which might be an indication of the plant being a bit weak to begin with. Maybe try this, cut part of them off and leave others, then when you dig them you will see the difference.

Have fun!

Excellent! I will do that come springtime if my grey hair doesn't get in the way of me remembering.