Good thinking when it comes to growing it for your own use,
@frillylily. In May, 2015, I had published three separate articles on Garlic. There was simply too much information to put into one or even two articles. You might want to take a look at those articles, "Garlic I, II, and III.
I seldom grow the same varieties year over year. My wife and I like to try different ones (taste-wise) and sometimes, a certain variety simply doesn't perform well in the garden. Thus, I never know from year-to-year what I will grow, or for that matter, what varieties that were planted in the fall will produce a good enough harvest to actually sell. Understand, I am a small fish compared to the large commercial growers.
Certainly, the hardneck varieties will do well for you. I have had numerous customers (some ATP subscribers and some not) tell me that they are in zones 4-6, and that their softneck variety(s) did very well. I even had a fellow who just had to plant Creole garlic, and he lived in the upper Midwest. He swears that the Creole grew well and had the expected pungency and flavor that people pay a premium to get. He mulched with stray. I guess I am saying that other than in extremely "vicious" climates, and for those willing to do some mulching with leaves/hay/straw, there may be little in the way of restrictions for y'all in zone 6.