Linda - the garlic that you just harvested a month or 2 ago? It shouldn't be sprouting already unless it is very damp in your basement. Garlic likes a moderate humidity. Too humid and it will cause sprouting. Too dry and it will cause the cloves to dry out. Some types don't store long while other's should store for 6-12 months depending on storing conditions.

Did you leave most of the bulb wrappers on the bulbs or just one or 2? It's best to leave most of the wrappers on the bulbs that you will be using for seed stock. Just remove one wrapper to clean them up a bit if you want.

Lastly - how did you cure the bulbs before bringing them into the basement?

Lone Jack, it was in the title. Last year's garlic, harvested in July/August 2019.

This years is safely curing in a wheelbarrow in the shed. Stems still attached :).

Linda

OK, I wasn't quite sure Linda. I've never had any that lasted for a year that wasn't dried out and useless unless I stored it in the fridge. But don't store seed garlic in the fridge because it then thinks it has already gone through a winter and won't grow well. Ask me how I know!

ETA: if you live in warm climates without a real winter then vernalizing in the fridge for a month or so is OK and recommended.

• Thankfully, mine lasts pretty well throughout the year. Hooray for basements :). It does begin to sprout a little, with little green bits showing inside the clove as we approach mid-summer, but I still use it for cooking. However, it now has 2" long sprouts so it's time to use the freshly harvested garlic!