So does 5 sound ok? or maybe I should only do 3 or 4? Any SFG garlic growers here?

Also to clarify it is supposed to be rinsed w/ rubbing alcohol right?

Cannot imagine why one would go to the messy trouble of soaking the cloves before planting. I have never heard of that done here. I'd say skip the soaking and just plant 'em.

I grow in containers of a sort (they are 3 foot in diameter round raised beds) and I plant 3 to 4 inches apart regardless of variety. I use a soil-less mix consisting of potting soil, composted wood wastes (ground bark) and manure.

My suggestion is to get some half barrels (either wood or plastic) and use those. It would be a lot less labor intensive for you that way. Keeping all those small pots watered and fertilized would be a painful chore in my world.

I may be moving soon or during the winter, military future is uncertain. I'm using the container as an alternative. I'm thinking I might be able to transplant them in the spring before the get too big? I read about the soaking in vinegar here. It came w/ the directions some one got from http://www.gourmetgarlicgardens.com/ . I can't afford their prices right now, but I will get some different cultivars next year if I have an definite home front.

Here is a link that might be useful: gourmet garlic

Rj,

I grew a few inchelium this year and will be planting some next week. These can get really large like 3"+. All my cloves get a 6" spacing no matter what they are. The alcohol is to kill any unwanted fungus that may be on the wrapper, good idea from a better safe than sorry point of view.