How to grow garlic in a raised bed

Garlic is one of the most satisfying crops going — plant a single clove and harvest a whole bulb. It asks for patience more than effort, and a raised bed's free-draining mix is exactly what it wants.

Quick facts

• Position: full sun
• Spacing: 15 cm apart
• Tub depth: our 23 cm or 35 cm depth
• Time to harvest: 6–8 months

When to plant: The rule of thumb is plant on the shortest day (around the autumn–winter mark) and harvest on the longest. Plant individual cloves, pointy end up. Our free planting calendar shows the right months for your postcode.

Growing them in a raised bed: Push cloves about 3–5 cm deep into loose, well-drained mix and keep the bed weed-free. Good drainage is everything — garlic rots in soggy soil, which a raised bed avoids.

Watering and feeding: Water while the leaves are growing, then stop once the lower leaves start to brown so the bulbs can firm up and dry.

Common pests: keep an eye out for aphids and thrips. Most are easily managed — see our safe pest guide.

Common diseases: the main ones are rust and downy mildew. Good airflow, morning watering and steady moisture prevent most.

Companion plants: Garlic helps deter pests from many crops nearby; keep it away from beans and peas. See our companion planting guide.

Harvest and storage: Harvest when the lower few leaves have browned but the top ones are still green. Lift gently, and hang to cure in an airy spot for a few weeks.

Plan your patch: our free planting calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.

Image: Ivar Leidus, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.