Garlic is tough. I removed the mulch about 3 weeks ago and temps have dipped into the 20s several times and the garlic doesn't seem to mind.
If you have deep mulch, you may want to remove a bit at a time over the next few weeks and set it aside to remulch, once the soil warms and the garlic is growing strongly.
Garlic likes nitrogen, so now is a good time to apply a slow release source, e.g. blood meal. Research shows best production when garlic gets at least 100 lb/acre and up to 400 lb/acre. I plan to add a total of 200 lb--my first application was the first of March, next will be April 15. Don't feed after the first week of May (in the north, at least) as this will delay bulb formation.
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