How to grow ginger in a raised bed

Fresh ginger is easy in a warm climate and a revelation compared with the shop-bought root. It's a leafy tropical rhizome that loves warmth, rich soil and a long season — all easy in a raised bed.

Quick facts

• Position: part shade to full sun; likes warmth
• Spacing: 20–30 cm apart
• Tub depth: our 35 cm depth
• Time to harvest: 8–10 months

When should I plant ginger?

Ginger is frost-tender and needs a long warm season — plant pieces of fresh rhizome in spring, once the soil is warm. Our free garden calendar shows the right months for your postcode.

• Subtropical (Brisbane & SEQ): September to November
• Temperate (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth): October to November
• Cool & mountain (Tasmania, Canberra, highlands): Not really suited to this zone
• Tropical (Cairns, Darwin): August to October
• Arid inland: October to November

How do I grow ginger in a raised bed?

Plant plump rhizome pieces (each with a bud or 'eye') a few centimetres deep in rich, moist, free-draining mix. It likes warmth and a bit of shelter from harsh afternoon sun.

How often should I water and feed ginger?

Keep the mix moist through the growing season, then let it dry off as the leaves yellow in autumn before harvest.

What pests attack ginger?

Keep an eye out for aphids — though most herbs are pleasingly pest-resistant. See our safe pest guide.

What are the common problems with ginger?

The main one to watch is leaf spot, usually from damp, crowded conditions. Good airflow and morning watering prevent most.

What grows well with ginger?

Give it a warm, sheltered spot; it grows well alongside turmeric and lemongrass. See our companion planting guide.

When do I harvest ginger?

Dig 'green' young ginger any time once clumps are established, or wait until the tops die down in autumn for mature rhizomes. Keep some to replant.

More growing guides: turmeric, lemongrass and Vietnamese mint.

Plan your patch: our free garden 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: Daderot (own work, 7 November 2023), CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.