The thread itself only needed a one word answer, which I got, so divert all you want
I frequently use last year's biggest and juiciest garlic to grow the current year's crop, so gradually they get larger, and become used to my growing conditions. This year for some reason I chose to buy new. I think it was a couple of new varieties advertised which I fell for, only to be sent replacements because my chosen ones were out of stock
. I plant in the autumn, into well watered soil, as here they need the winter to establish a good root system.
Garlic gets a prime spot at the front of the south wall of the tunnel, in front of the peppers and tomatoes. I use a mantis to prepare the ground as it chops up compost and FYM finely, and buries it deep enough. First I spread a layer of wood ash from our burner, a good sprinkle of seaweed meal, and a little of some kind of lime if I have it. I use very well rotted manure, so mixing with a small amount of lime is OK. My soil is fairly fertile so I don't use a large amount of manure or compost. Then I use boards to firm the ground ie lay them flat then jump up and down on them. I plant the cloves using a trowel so they don't pop back up as the roots grow which they do if you just push them in, deep enough to cover the cloves entirely.
We don't water too much through the winter, so the soil is damp but never wet, then start watering in the spring as it warms up. As soon as they're ready, all watering stops. Keep them well weeded by hand.
I still get many heads which are rubbish, but the big ones are getting better. My late Dad in Norfolk showed me about using the best cloves from the biggest heads to replant. He did that for a good few years and grew some whoppers.