Mom, I'll lay you 12 to 7 odds that your garlic will be exactly the same this year as in the past.

The winter dormancy period does not effect productivity. It's what happens during the spring/early summer growing & bulbing period that matters.

I didn't plant until mid-January last year, for instance, and never noticed a lick of difference. And Martin has planted as late as December 31, in Wisconsin, with no ill effects.

Thanks for the info! I do hope your prediction comes true! My experience with different bulbs, but similar timing: I planted tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils on New Year's Eve once, and those came up right on schedule and did beautifully. Speaking of which, the tips of my hyacinths (the flower part!) are now about 2 cm above ground. Whoops! They're not going to like the upcoming cold weather very much.