Well I know most deer dislike pungent/aromatic plants so that might help deter them. As to when to plant I've been reading September to October... I plan on planting mine this coming week... Hope it's correct.... Having a hard time finding garlic this time of year though.

Garlic is a large plant I would not use it as a border it would make the inner squares very hard to reach. It also will shade your seedlings as it is the first thing up in the spring I grew it last year and loved it. 4 per square worked best for me 9 was too crowded. they got about 2 1/2-3 foot tall. I don't know about the Deer I only seen two this year and they never came to my garden.Plant it around October and mulch Leave the mulch all winter some leave the mulch till harvest. There is an alluim forum that can answer all your questions.

Curt

I forgot to say put in on the north side I put mine on the south last fall. Big mistake, it shaded the adjoining squares until July.

Curt