Its hard to tell, but it looks to me like they need another 2-3 weeks, maybe irrigate once or twice, then leave them two weeks to dry before harvest.

some of the leaves are drying out quick. that's why I pulled one to see how it goes.

actually the bottom 3, 4 layers of leaves are yellow. maybe the pictures are not showing very well. that's why i pulled. also i noticed that the main stem or whatever it is called in the middle is getting thinner. that's why i was worrying if it is too late. and I haven't watered it for a while. maybe i should do that. the last few days are HOT.

I think I see your yellow leaves now -- then yes, it would be time to pull. What is it about them that makes you think you pulled early?

You can see outer clove might not fully develop. It's not "hugging" the bulb.

I've never seen that when I pull early (like if rogue garlic is growing in a bed and I want it out). Early, I find the bulb much tighter, whiter, and the cloves not well defined yet. Yours looks well developed, but with an outlier clove. Maybe try pulling another one and see what it looks like? Wish we could tell better from your photos, but overall if you've got lower leaves that are yellow, you are either very close to or already arrived at harvest time.

I know now why my garlics are falling over. Damn moles. They made a mess.