I received some purple garlic from a neighbor and want to plant it in the fall. What is the best way to store it until planting, so that it does not get "soft" and deteriorate. Also, I have not had good luck planting garlic the past several years, as it has died off before I even have a chance to harvest it, although the plants look very healthy in the spring and very early summer. Any suggestions? Should I soak the garlic in something before planting? I plant 5-6 inches deep in zone five and mulch with straw. Any other suggestions? Before I used to just put it in the ground in October and pick beautiful heads of garlic in late June.