My bulbs were planted in rows with gradual decrease in available light along them (part shaded by tree). Huge difference in bulb size. Rumour has it, that day length is the main contributor in bulb formation.

On storage – you can also blanch peeled cloves and leave them in a jar covered with olive oil.

It should stay fine in fresh air for a month or two but you can keep it longer in a brown paper bag in a cool, dark pantry. Two methods I’ve heard of but haven’t tried yet are: smoking it, or soaking peeled cloves in vinegar for a couple of days then storing the cloves in olive oil. You could probably dehydrate or freeze crushed garlic too come to think of it.

Like all produce – the sooner you use it the better it will be :-)