I live in Santa Clara Valley, at the southern end of which is Gilroy ("the Garlic Capital of the World"). Sometimes in the summer when the wond is blowing from the southwest, the air here is permeated with the lovely smell of newly harvested garlic. This week was such a week, so I can promise you it still smells.
On the other hand, I've recently heard that Cristopher Ranch, a major producer down Gilroy way, has decided to stop growing it there and start importing from China instead. Garlic grown for intercontinental shipping is just BOUND to be less flavorful than what is grown here locally. There's a change in the wind...
If I were you, I'd definitely start buying organically grown garlic at your local natural foods store -- or by all means grow it yourself. Are there "heirloom garlic" varieties available from the cooler seed companies, I wonder? I'll get back to you on that after a research foray.