Loosen the soil in the garden bed with a garden fork to the depth of the fork tines.
Add 2 to 3 inches of compost to the top of the garden bed and rake it smooth with a garden rake.
Make shallow furrows approximately 1/2 inch deep and 6 inches apart with the handle of the garden rake.
Break the garlic bulbs into individual cloves. Set any small cloves aside and use them for cooking rather than planting, since larger cloves will yield better results.
Push each clove into the ground, pointy end up, every 4 inches along the length of the furrows. Each clove should be approximately 2 inches deep into the ground.
Rake over the fully planted garden bed with a garden rake and smooth over the furrows. Water the bed thoroughly.
Cover the bed with a layer of hay or leaves. The garlic can be dug up with a garden fork after 90 to 100 days.