Benefits

• When you plant garlic cloves, you run a greater risk of your plants becoming infected with diseases and fungi that don't affect plants grown from seed. Since seeds are fresh, you aren't starting a new plant that may come from infected stock.
  
  

Types

• Varieties like softneck garlic and elephant garlic can be grown from seed. Softneck garlic is the type you typically see in grocery stores and is very easy to grow. Elephant garlic is much larger but has a more subtle flavor.
  
  

Location

• While you can buy garlic seeds at gardening centers, there are other places where you can find more hard-to-find varieties. Many farmers' markets and garlic festivals feature garlic experts who can talk to you about the types of garlic you can grow from seed.