Quick garlic question

Hey! I had a couple garlic plants in pots growing this year. The scapes/leaves wilted and died probably 3 months ago now, however I’ve just left the pots be ever since.

Im assuming the bulbs (garlic) will still be okay as it’s usually lifecycle is to be grown and then wait for the correct temperatures/timing for it to regrow… However is the best practice to go and dig them up and split the big bulb into each little singular garlic nodes to plant in the ground directly? I’m also hoping that the nodes haven’t started sprouting for this next growing season as otherwise I could kill them if I dig it out, split it up and replant!

I’ve never grown garlic before, I just bought these already mostly-grown pots earlier in the year, so I’m a little confused and worried on potentially getting it wrong.

Also, I know I can find this information online, but any advice on spacings of the garlic when planting directly into the ground? I have a “normal” garlic breed and also a plant that is “elephant garlic”, so I’m assuming I should plant a little wider for the larger species. There’s a rat nest in the allotment next to mine so I also worry about the garlic nodes being dug up as I had them enjoying my corn roots this year… I guess that’s something I’ll just have to find out with trial and error haha.

Thanks a lot for any information, all the best!