Once you have placed the bulb in the bed in fall, then water the bed immediately if it is dry, before putting on the mulch. (Do not put on mulch if you live in an exceptionally wet climate.) Then over winter, with the mulch on, you can usually skip watering. In spring, when the leaves start to grow, then the garlic will like consistent water (but not too much, or it will rot), until a few weeks before harvest, at which point the watering should be stopped.
Once you have placed the bulb in the bed in fall, then water the bed immediately if it is dry, before putting on the mulch. (Do not put on mulch if you live in an exceptionally wet climate.) Then over winter, with the mulch on, you can usually skip watering. In spring, when the leaves start to grow, then the garlic will like consistent water (but not too much, or it will rot), until a few weeks before harvest, at which point the watering should be stopped.