I have grown both softneck and hardneck garlics. Growing garlic starts with knowing when to plant it. But planting itself is incredibly easy. In mid-fall plant garlic bulbs in loose, very fertile soil. Plant cloves root side down about 8 inches apart in all directions and the tips about two inches down. Mulch around with straw when the green shoots will come up. In spring pull back the mulch. Feed them mixed fish emulsion and liquid seaweed. Water only if the soil is dry and avoid pouring water into the crowns of the plant.
The bulbs are ready when most of the lower leaves have browned. The upper ones will still be green. If you've ever grown onions, it's easy to assume garlic is the same and you should wait until all the leaves have fallen over. The finished garlic will still be on the dirty side compared to anything commercial. We leave it that way until we want to use it because further cleanup can shorten storage life. If you can't bear the way it looks, try removing the outer layer of wrapper. You can wash the bulbs if you must and should be ok as long as they dry quickly and thoroughly, but if you ask me you're asking for trouble by pushing it this way.
at-home ideal for storing garlic is between 55 and 70 degrees, with moderate humidity and good air circulation, in the light but out of the sun. We keep our garlic stored in baskets in the cold closet.
