Garlic has a fairly deep root system, so cultivate the soil to between 6 and 12 inches deep. Like tulips and daffodils, garlic is a bulb. The ideal planting time is fall, four to six weeks prior to significant freezing. This gives the bulb some warm weather in which to germinate and develop roots. Don't worry if you notice a little green aboveground growth in the fall.
Early spring is the second-best time to plant garlic.
Use the largest cloves, because they'll yield the largest bulbs. Sink the cloves in the soil so the tip of each is about 2 inches below the surface. Space cloves 3 to 5 inches apart. A few inches of mulch over the garlic bed will help regulate soil temperature and control weeds. It is important to water regularly after planting, even through the winter in dry climates.