hello Zai,

If you have rock hard soil around your plants then it may put a strain on them when it's time to grow the bulb. Loosening the soil from around the plant at such time logicaly will make it easier for it to expand. I have not heard of this being done before but if you only have a few then go for it.

I'd think it would be far easier to amend the soil to increase friability and thereby make it easier for the bulbs to swell to monstrose proportions.

But what do I know, I am small peanuts compared to the previous poster.

Plus, I am beginning to think that bigger is not necessarily better if being all swelled up with water causes the bulbs to go bad earlier in the year.

You have a valid point Kris. I too have chopped into some monster hardneck bulbs to find the centers of the cloves have gotten soft and punky and kinda tasted moldy. I have quit growing that variety for that very reason. I have some 1-1/2 inch Nootka Rose that are still in perfect shape from last summer.

Yes, I do grow a large quantity of garlic...but that by no means makes me an expert on it. It only means I spend a lot of time on my hands and knees in the fall planting the stuff. :-)