Garden Type
There are three basic ways to set up a vegetable or flower garden: in raised beds, directly in the ground, or in containers. Each suits a different situation, and many gardens end up using all three: in-ground space for corn and squash, raised beds for salad crops, and pots of herbs by the kitchen door.
At a glance
| Raised beds | In-ground | Containers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Startup cost | Moderate to high (frames and soil) | Low | Low to moderate |
| Soil | You bring it in | Your native soil, improved | Bagged potting mix |
| Watering | Dries faster than ground | Holds water best | Daily in summer |
| Best for | Poor or wet soil, small yards, easy access | Large gardens, sprawling crops | Patios, balconies, renters |
| Main drawback | Building and filling cost | Depends on your soil; more weeds | Small root space, constant watering |
Raised bed gardening
Soil is held in a frame of wood, stone, block or metal, usually 6 to 12 inches high (taller for easier access).
Advantages: you control the soil and drainage, which makes raised beds the answer to heavy clay, rocky or contaminated ground; the soil warms and drains earlier in spring; nobody walks on the growing area; taller beds reduce bending.
Challenges: building and filling the beds costs money and effort up front; they dry out faster than the ground; wooden frames eventually need replacing.
In-ground gardening
Plants go straight into your existing soil, improved with compost.
Advantages: cheapest by far, and the only practical option for a big garden; roots can go as deep as they like; the soil holds moisture longer than raised beds or pots; room for corn, potatoes, melons and winter squash.
Challenges: results depend on your soil, which may take a few years of compost to improve; more weeds, especially in the first year after turning lawn into garden; poorly drained ground stays wet and cold in spring.
Container gardening
Plants grow in pots, buckets, grow bags or planters filled with potting mix.
Advantages: works anywhere with sun, including paved areas and balconies; no weeding; pots can be moved to chase sun or escape frost; you start with clean soil every time.
Challenges: limited root space limits plant size and yield, so choose compact varieties; containers need water often, daily in hot weather, and regular feeding because nutrients wash out; roots in pots heat up and cool down faster than in the ground.
Choosing
If your soil is decent and you have space, start in the ground; it costs the least. If the soil is poor, wet or compacted, or you want to garden without kneeling, build raised beds. If you only have a patio or balcony, or you rent, use containers. For the most food from a small raised bed, look at square foot gardening.