I won't plant my garlic for another couple of weeks, and like your father I plant a lot of it (200-300 cloves). I think you are fine to plant it now. If your father is in similar USDA conditions, ask him whether he mulches his garlic after planting. Some swear the mulch is necessary in the northern climes and some insist it is not necessary in the least. I actually mulch mine after a month or so (6-8" of oak leaves) but that's because I am planting a lot of Creole garlic, something you (probably) won't be planting.
