I know everyone says that garlic and potatoes from the grocery store won’t grow well, but that has never been my experience. Whatever sprouting inhibitor is supposedly used must wear out fast.
I plant garlic cloves point-up, with the top just a little below the surface of the soil. For big bulbs, make sure the soil is loose and soft, and keep them at least 4 inches apart (I recommend 8 inches, but 4 is the minimum). If you don’t care how big or small the bulbs are, you can plant them closer. I grow for scapes, so sometimes I don’t even separate the cloves when planting.
For container growing, I’d look for a pot that’s at least a foot deep, with good drainage.
They definitely like full sun. After they get a few inches tall, I suggest a good layer of mulch to control weeds.
Harvest is usually late summer to early fall. You’ll know it’s time when the plants turn yellow and dry up. Pull or dig the whole plant if possible, so you can use the above-ground parts for hanging the bulbs with.
Garlic is generally planted in the fall, so save your best ones and replant before the weather turns cold.
Thank you all for the tips! I have decided on a place in the ground instead of pots. I know I didn’t have them in the ground over the winter, but they were in my garage over the winter, so maybe those sub freezing temps in there for weeks at a time (central Indiana) were enough to give them a feeling of being “winterized”. As I look at it, this is a free experiment for me. If it doesn’t work, nothing is lost really, and I’ve gained from the knowledge that I will learn. Will report in the fall if anything happened. If not successful this year, I will probably try to overwinter and see what happens next year. Fingers crossed.