Although we're still getting sunshine and some pleasant temperatures in New England, we're approaching the time when outdoor gardening takes a hiatus. The first frost of the season is likely a month or two away, and most plants will be frozen in their tracks if you sow them now.

Some plants are good candidates for overwintering, though, and the chill can even help them produce more bountiful crops once spring arrives. Garlic, a vegetable capable of giving a pungent kick to any recipe, is one such option for autumn planting.

While garlic can be planted in the spring, setting it out in the fall can be more beneficial. The Old Farmer's Almanac says the resulting bulbs will be larger and tastier. Cedar Circle Farm, an organic farm in East Thetford, Vermont, says this benefit occurs because the garlic's root system will grow during the cooler period and encourage development of the bulbs in the spring.

Garlic should be planted in a site with full sunlight. Planting should take place a few weeks before the anticipated hard frost date. If the shoots start to exceed a height of four inches, trim it back to keep the plant healthy and growth focused on the roots. These shoots are edible and can make a nice addition to a salad.

The soil should be kept free of weeds and fertile enough to encourage growth. The gardening company Burpee says there should be adequate drainage, since the bulbs will rot if water pools around them. Raised beds can work well for this purpose. The Cornell University Cooperative Extension says garlic will tolerate a range of pH levels, but it is best to keep the soil neutral or slightly acidic.

Avoid planting garlic in soil where other members of the allium family have grown in the past three years. These plants include onions, shallots, leeks, and chives.

While it is possible to grow garlic from seed, it is easier to start with cloves. Cedar Circle Farm says that when a garlic plant goes to seed, it will take two years for these seeds to produce a bulb.

Avoid using cloves from garlic purchased at the grocery store, since these may not be suited for this region and can also include chemical treatments which will make it more difficult for them to grow. Get the cloves from a local nursery or gardening center.

There are several types of garlic to choose from. The Cornell University Cooperative Extension says softneck varieties have a strong flavor and store well, while stiffneck varieties are milder and more tolerant of the cold. Elephant garlic has larger cloves, and this variety is not as hardy.

The Old Farmer's Almanac says cloves should be broken apart a few days before they are planted. Burpee says each clove can develop into a new bulb of five to 10 cloves, allowing you to grow a large crop even if you are starting with a single bulb. Keep the husk on the cloves when planting.

The pointed end of the clove should be facing up when it is planted. Plant cloves about one or two inches deep, and separate them by four to six inches. Elephant garlic cloves should be planted three inches deep and separated by eight to 12 inches.

Amending the soil with compost or organic material will help provide the nutrients needed for healthy growth. Applying a fertilizer with a high level of nitrogen can also be beneficial. Include straw or leaves in a protective layer of mulch for overwintering after the first hard frost.

Keep the cloves watered if the soil is dry. The Old Farmer's Almanac recommends watering every three to five days between mid-May and June.

However, you'll eventually want to keep water away from the plot. Burpee says leaving the soil dry in the later part of the growing season will keep the plant from flowering and cause the bulbs to grow.

Cedar Circle Farm says that once shoots start to appear in the spring, you should remove the mulch except for a shallow layer to retain moisture and suppress weed growth. More water during this period will help with growth.

Scapes, or the garlic's central stalk, will begin to appear in June. This edible part of the plant can be removed once it starts to curl, preventing it from setting seed and allowing the plant's energy to be concentrated on bulb growth.

Check out the top of the shoots to determine when you should harvest the garlic. The Old Farmer's Almanac says the best time to collect the bulbs is when the shoots are yellow but not yet dry. Northern regions will likely be able to harvest garlic in July or August.

Carefully dig out the bulbs, brush off the soil, and keep them in a cool area with good air circulation for two or three weeks. The garlic will be ready for use when the wrappers are dry. Remove any roots, leaves, or dirty wrappers.

The Cornell University Cooperative Extension says the tops of the softneck varieties of garlic can be braided together. The Old Farmer's Almanac says these braids can be hung up, and the bulbs' flavor will become stronger as they dry.

Aside from issues that can arise due to excess moisture, garlic is generally not susceptible to any pests or diseases. The plant can even help repel pests in other parts of the garden. Cedar Circle Farm says it can be especially beneficial to plant garlic near members of the brassica family, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage.

If you want to continue growing garlic in other seasons, put aside some of the larger bulbs. The cloves from these bulbs are the best ones to use for planting again in the autumn.