Hardnecks are better for colder winters (I'd say zone 5 and less, they need at least 6-8 weeks of cold soil temps) while softnecks are better for warmer climates. English gardener Monty Don loves elephant garlic and says that it keeps much better than hard or soft neck garlics, I could only get three elephant cloves so hopefully I don't loose any.
First things first, your garlic bed will need to have very loose soil. Garlic bulbs underground (as opposed to onions that bulb on the surface) and if the soil it too hard it stunts their growth.
I have this awesome hand tiller, a Hounddog, which I think was only $20. It's nice to till small areas in beds where you might have other plants that you don't want to disturb. It's also handy for loosening soil around perennials, allowing oxygen and water to the roots.
Next lay your garlic cloves out in a grid, about 4" apart, the elephant garlic about 6-8". I like to lay them out and then plant as I can usually fit them closer together and I really think the yields are better
They need to be planted at least three times as deep as they are tall, about 3-4" more if it's especially cold where you live.
Then cover them over and give them a good mulch. I used a thick layer of straw that had been in the duck house, their sprouts are very strong and a thick layer of mulch wont hinder them when sprouting.
Give them a good watering now and then again in the early spring, as soon as it starts to warm up. Keep them watered and come July they will be ready for harvest.
Good luck with your fall planting!
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