When I plant in the fall, the full sun beds seem to get going.

The beds that are shaded fail to sprout anything above ground (not necessarily bad) but these beds never produce the same size/quality bulbs as the full sun bulbs.

Since garlic grows over the winter full sun is not necessarily a requirement. In my experience, a good chill is a lot more important to getting things up and sprouted. In fact, one variety which was planted in a spot where it did not get full sun turned out just as well as the same variety planted in a spot with better exposure. It was simply ready later than the rest of its kind.

I live on the far northern coast of California and we don't get sun for weeks at a time during all seasons. We grow great garlic here.

Okay, thanks.

I think I'll experiment with it. I'll keep both garlic boxes in less-sun area, and full-sun area this year, then next spring, move less-sun garlic to full-sun area and see how they perform for harvest.