I live in USDA Zone 7B too but elevation is under 400 feet. Don't worry too much about the ROT of planting cloves in October. For various reasons I have sown cloves as late as early December, e.g., this year was Dec 7. In the past there was no difference that I could see. The _major_ difference is the soil. It must be rich and loose enough so, at least, no shovel is mandatory to dig it for 6" depth, i.e, a trowel is all that is needed. Soil here is good but turns to clay and surface can become hard as a rock(like it is now due to no rain). The results in the slightly amended native soil has always been less(smaller and fewer survivors). Hence I grow garlic in 4'x8' x10" raised bed(s) with mostly(2/3) soil mix of compost(home made), perlite, vermiculite, coir and/or peat with about 1/3 of yard soil; total is ~ 6-8" deep. By amending with compost each year, the main bed has lasted > 10 years, which cut the initial cost a lot(sort of like solar panels do).
It's a guess of course with so little info' but try to sow deeper, mulch deeper and plant later than October. Perhaps try November _after_ the first hard freeze but before the first heavy snow.
It's late but hope you get this in time for 2023 planting and it helps.
I live in USDA Zone 7B too but elevation is under 400 feet. Don't worry too much about the ROT of planting cloves in October. For various reasons I have sown cloves as late as early December, e.g., this year was Dec 7. In the past there was no difference that I could see. The _major_ difference is the soil. It must be rich and loose enough so, at least, no shovel is mandatory to dig it for 6" depth, i.e, a trowel is all that is needed. Soil here is good but turns to clay and surface can become hard as a rock(like it is now due to no rain). The results in the slightly amended native soil has always been less(smaller and fewer survivors). Hence I grow garlic in 4'x8' x10" raised bed(s) with mostly(2/3) soil mix of compost(home made), perlite, vermiculite, coir and/or peat with about 1/3 of yard soil; total is ~ 6-8" deep. By amending with compost each year, the main bed has lasted > 10 years, which cut the initial cost a lot(sort of like solar panels do).
It's a guess of course with so little info' but try to sow deeper, mulch deeper and plant later than October. Perhaps try November _after_ the first hard freeze but before the first heavy snow.
It's late but hope you get this in time for 2023 planting and it helps.