I've read somewhere that heat can shut off the growing stage and start them toward dormancy..

I know it's true for my shallots.. We had a very mild warm winter and spring and the tiny shallots went into dormancy early...

Most of mine is smaller than usual and also ready to harvest a month earlier. The softneck I grow never went into dormancy, just kept on growing and was ready earlier than ever. I believe the two porcelains I grow will be ready at the "normal" time as they really don't go dormant, but do not sow signs of growth until the coldest part of the year--it never got that cold this year.

Thanks for these comments. I always have taken pride in my huge garlic. I guess this is not the year.