We have variable weather... The ground freezes and thaws throughout the winter depending on temperature, and snow cover, and sunlight, and microclimate. Garlic seems perfectly adapted to our climate. The above ground leaves might freeze solid, but the bulbs remains intact... The patches of garlic that we dig mid-winter are next to the foundation of a heated basement on a south facing wall, so the ground doesn't freeze deep there or stay frozen for long.
Around here, elephant garlic is very prone to winter die-off. For us potatoes, turnips, and carrots are winter hardy about 1 year in 5. Heavy mulch in late fall may help. Sunroots and parsnips are reliably winter hardy for us. Onions may or may not be winter hardy depending on the cultivar.
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