What spacing works best for garlic in raised beds?
Written by
Nguyen Minh
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.To grow garlic in raised beds, everything starts with spacing. It is best to allow six inches between cloves to let the roots develop without competing with one another. I learned this the hard way after planting the cloves too closely together, and I ended up with bulbs that were the size of marbles. Cleaning up the airflow is also critical because with plants crowded together trapped moisture can tempt fungal issues.
4-inch spacing
- Bulbs 25% smaller on average
- Higher risk of white rot
- Difficulty weeding between plants
8-inch spacing
- Wasted bed space
- Increased weed colonization
- Reduced yield per square foot
The depth of the soil influences the effectiveness of the spacing. In the cedar beds that are 12 inches deep, I take three parts compost and sand and mix them. This loose mixture allows the roots to explore sideways without being tangled. In beds that are shallow, 8 inches or less, I increase the spacing. Roots are stunted because they hit a barrier.
Overplanting Edges
- Leave 4" (10cm) from bed walls
- Prevents root constriction
- Reduces rodent nibbling
Ignoring Microclimates
- South-facing beds dry faster
- Add 1" spacing in hot zones
- Use shade cloth in heatwaves
Using a homemade grid for spacing is easy, just nail wooden dowels across the frame at 6-inch intervals. You press the dowels into the soil before planting. A client of mine in Arizona achieved a 40% increase in yield using this method, and nice, straight rows lead to very little guesswork, and even fertilizer application.
Read the full article: How to Grow Garlic Successfully in Any Climate
