You're doing just fine! Sounds like you did what you were supposed to do and the garlic is doing what it was supposed to do. More than likely it was an early softneck which doesn't really care when it is planted in your area, fall or spring. We've long ago proved that all garlic may be spring-planted up here and learning that softnecks don't always survive fall planting. You'll get garlic bulbs in return for your efforts, no problem.

Martin

Thanks for the feedback and the support. I'm perfectly content to let it grow all season if that's what it takes. Doesn't garlic help to ward off pests? And I love the taste of garlic and cooking with garlic, so when harvest time comes, I will be excited. What do I do between now and then and when do Zone 7 folks harvest spring-sown garlic?

The most important thing to do between now and then is usually nothing. Keep the weeds away since garlic doesn't like to share. Soil should be moist but not wet; an inch of water per week should be OK. Along about July or early August, they'll start dying and you'll panic and ask us what's happening and why you are killing them. We'll tell you that it's normal. When about three-quarters of the leaves are dead or dying, pull them up and you should have a nice bulb under each plant. Then rush in and get on line and seek out the major garlic suppliers and place your order for some REAL garlic now that you'll have mastered one season. Along about late October or so, you'd plant them. All that after only 4 cloves. It's really a disease. You've already contacted it so you'll be growing garlic for the rest of your gardening years now!

Martin

In zone 7 east coast you will get better results planting in the Fall. It won't get as large as it would in a fall planting. It may form a solid instead of cloving. It will grow but try some next fall too. Martin is a world away in WI zone four and there summers are not as long and hot as ours.
The Garlic Lady

And in Z 7, you will want to start digging at 50 to 60 % dry leaves. Much more and wrappers start breaking down and storage suffers. Watering too long will cause same problem.

I agree things can be quite different for region to region. In our humid climate we harvest when 40-50 % of the leaves are brown.If you want a planting guide for zone 7 NC/VA let me know.
The Garlic Lady

Yes, I would love a planting guide for Zone 7. Thanks!