@PrinceSnow: I planted about 30 cloves last fall (Softneck varity I bought 3 bulbs from Whole Foods).  I harvested them in the beginning of May.  This was my first time Planting.  I basically followed this Mother Earth New artical.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/grow-it/how-to-plant-garlic.aspx 

other links in this article lead me to Seeds of Italy where I found out a few thing I did wrong.  Again I planted Softnecks.  I found out when you plant Garlic use only the Large Cloves to get sizable bulbs.  If you want to use the small cloves then plant them separate from the rest so you can pick the whold plant for greens like you would Green onions.  When I harvested the bulbs I had many small bulbs, about 1/3 of them.  I was carefully not to try to pull them out of the ground by the stalk, I reached under the bulb with my finger up uproot them.  I then braided 4 plants together, tied them to a long Twine rope.   When I had the rope filled with Garlic I hung the rope in my garage to allow to dry for 6 weeks.  I used about 2 bunchs of 4 before the rest was fully dry.  My garage is dark in the back side and has good ventilation.  My wife and I are really happy the way it turned out for our first time.

here is a link --http://honeyhillorganicfarm.com/ -- I found it very informitive.

boscoi