Planting garlic

I have got some spring garlic and because the ground was so wet when I wanted to plant them I started them off in pots, which is what it said on the leaflet that came with with the garlic.  Watching Gardeners World on Friday they  said that garlic should be planted out when there is a frost as they need this to set.  I have only planted garlic in November/December before so haven't come across this. 

The problem I have now is that the garlic is starting to grow and there are tips showing through the compost in the pots.  Should I plant them out like this, in which case if there is a frost will it kill the shoots, or should I wait and plant them out when they are much bigger and don't worry about them getting any frost?

Hope this makes sense, it seems very rambling!

Hi SandyGreen

The Garlic Clove needs a good frost to split and become a bulb.

My garlic was under all that snow we had at the start of the year - it's going like the clappers -  I've got it coming out of my ears!

Thanks very much, I think I will chuck them in the ground and see what happens.  Not sure if I'm brave enough to put them in the freezer (could try with some as a controlled experiment!)