Garlic has been around since pre-biblical times, and has been the subject many a tale.  It is an annual plant with an oniony and... well...garlic taste.  It adds aroma and taste to pretty much every dish imaginable - except desserts - and is a favorite seasoning herb in cooking.  It has also been used in folk remedies for a plethora of physical difficulties through time.

Garlic originates in southern Europe, but various garlic species have been known world-wide for centuries.  The Indians used wild garlic extensively before the settlers brought cultivated varieties into the mix.  It can be started in the home garden by seeding or cloves.

Garlic cloves or seeds can be planted in early spring for a fall harvest, and in more moderate climates can even be planted in the fall for harvesting the next fall.  Cloves from the grocery store, if still reasonably fresh, will grow nicely in most gardens.  Planting cloves rather than seeds is the preferred method, because it is MUCH faster. Garlic is quite cold-hardy and survives low winter temperatures in all but the harshest winter areas.  The plants develop leaves while the days are short and cool, and develop bulbs in the warmer and longer days of summer. 

Cultivate the soil deeply for garlic and enhance it with generous amounts of Compost.  For the largest bulbs, plant in full sun, but garlic will also mature in partial shade.  Garlic has beautiful flowers, so be sure to plant enough to let a few of the plants go to seed (the flower heads are unique additions to flower arrangements).  Otherwise, when the plants start to flower, cut the flower stalks back so that they will put their energy into the bulb.  When the tops eventually bend and start turning brown (mid-to late summer if all has gone well), knock the plants down and leave them for a few days.  Then pull the plants and let them dry on a screen in the shade.  Once they are dry, shake the dirt loose and store.

Storage for garlic is about the same as for Onions.  Put it in a cool, dark, dry spot.  If you want to get fancy, you can braid the leaves into a rope, as you would Onion, or you can put the bulbs without leaves into a nylon stocking with a knot between each bulb.  Then, hang in a convenient place, and cut the bulbs from the bottom as needed.  

Garlic is well-known in the pest control arena.  It is a proven Companion Plant and is thought to deter many different garden pests.  See Companion Planting for specific plants that appreciate its company (and those that don't).