I think the only dormant season garlic has is during the summer when the foliage dies down. It doesn't grow in winter when the ground is frozen but during warm spells it does grow (slowly).

In a dry climate, I'd use the same watering rules in winter that I would in summer: keep the ground moist, not wet, and don't let the ground dry out. Can't really tell you how much to water or when.

Rodney

You can water them in the fall, IF it has been REALLY dry for a LONG time and your garlics have already sprouted. But after the first frost I will just forget watering till spring time till around few weeks before the last frost. But then it depend on how much rain you get.

I do water when planting in the fall but it does not take long for the ground to dry out at that soil depth, even when mulched. I have little fear of the garlic rotting from too much moisture (just not a problem here). Perhaps I will try watering half the bed once a month (when we have no precipitation) and the other half just at planting.

I watered mine lightly today.
If your soil has good drainage , watering should not be a problem at this time and growth stage even if it was not necessary, I also lightly sprinkled some Nitrogen fertilizer before watering. Garlics and onions are considered LEAFY vegetables. Their bulbs are just continuation of their leaves. They benefit from nitrogen.