Garlic plants require deep, friable, well-drained soil in full sun. Dig plenty of organic matter into the soil before planting.
Plant cloves with the pointed side up. Set them 1 inch deep and 4 inches apart in rows spaced 1 to 2 feet apart. Give the plants extra water during dry periods.

Garlic is grown for its large bulbs, which are made up of sections, or "cloves", and have a unique, tangy flavor. This onion family member is nutritious as well a delicious, and is believed to help lower blood pressure.

Garlic is grown not from seed but rather from the cloves. The larger the clove, the larger the bulb it will produce. Elephant garlic produced extra-large cloves in enormous bulbs measuring 2-3 inches long and 4 inches wide. Its flavor is milder than that of standard garlic.

Gather garlic when the foliage dies back. Carefully dig the bulbs with a pitchfork, and allow them to cure in a warm, dry place for a week.

Garlic is prized as a seasoning. Roasted cloves have less bite than raw cloves and may be eaten as a snack or side dish. Harvest and chop leaves and add them to salads, dips, or garlic bread.