You have decided where the sun shines in your yard. You have an idea of what you want to grow.
Now, where are you going to put everything?
There is no single best type of garden. In-ground rows, in-ground beds, raised beds, and containers can all grow plenty of food. The right choice depends on your space, soil, budget, physical needs, and how much work you want to put into setting everything up.
You also don’t have to pick just one.
My own garden is a mixture of different growing spaces because different plants and parts of my yard have different needs. Let’s look at your options!
In-Ground Garden Rows and Beds
An in-ground garden is exactly what it sounds like. You grow directly in the soil already in your yard. This is typically what pops into mind when thinking of a large garden.
This can mean traditional long rows or smaller permanent beds with walking paths between them. You don’t have to create a giant rectangle and plant enough corn to get lost in.
The Good Stuff
- Usually less expensive to start. You don’t need to buy lumber, metal beds, or large amounts of soil to fill raised beds.
- Plenty of root space. Plants can send their roots deep into the soil if your ground is loose and healthy.
- The soil dries out more slowly. In-ground gardens generally hold moisture longer than containers and many raised beds.
- Great for larger gardens. If you have enough suitable space, rows and beds can be an affordable way to grow a lot of food.
The Not-So-Good Stuff
- Your existing soil matters. Hard clay, rocks, poor drainage, or other soil problems may require some work before planting.
- More bending and kneeling. Everything happens at ground level, which may be difficult for some gardeners.
- Weeds may be more challenging. Depending on how you prepare and maintain the area, you may spend some quality time getting to know every weed in your yard.
In-ground gardening can be a great choice if you have decent soil, enough sunny space, and want an affordable way to grow more plants.
Raised Garden Beds
Raised beds are growing areas built above ground level and filled with soil.
They are popular for good reason. They look neat, give you more control over your soil, and can make gardening easier in areas with poor native soil.
The Good Stuff
- You control the soil. This is especially helpful if your yard has heavy clay, rocky ground, or poor drainage.
- They can be easier to reach. Taller beds reduce bending and kneeling.
- They are easy to organize. Raised beds create clear growing areas and walking paths.
- Good drainage. Properly built raised beds generally drain well.
The Not-So-Good Stuff
- They can be expensive. The bed itself costs money, and then you have to fill it with soil.
- They may dry out faster. Raised beds can require more frequent watering than an in-ground garden.
- They are not easy to move. Once you fill a raised bed with soil, it lives there now.
This is one reason I recommend watching the sunlight patterns in your yard before installing permanent beds.
A raised bed full of soil does not care that you discovered the better sunny spot is twelve feet away.
Container Gardening
Containers are one of the easiest ways to start growing food without committing to a permanent garden.
You can use traditional plant pots, grow bags, buckets, large planters, and many other suitable containers.
The Good Stuff
- You can move them. This is especially helpful while learning how sunlight changes around your yard throughout the day and across the seasons.
- You don’t need a yard. Patios, balconies, porches, and other small spaces can become growing areas.
- You can start very small. One pepper plant counts as gardening.
- You control the soil. Fill the container with a good potting mix and skip worrying about what is happening in the ground below.
The Not-So-Good Stuff
- Containers dry out quickly. During hot weather, some containers may need frequent watering.
- Plants have limited root space. You need to match the size of the container to the plant.
- Nutrients are limited. Container plants may need regular feeding because they cannot send roots as far into the ground looking for nutrients.
- Large containers get heavy. Yes, containers are movable. Technically. A giant pot filled with wet soil may disagree.
Containers are especially useful for beginners who are still learning their space. You can move plants around, experiment with different locations, and learn what works before making permanent decisions.
You Can Mix and Match
Here is something beginners don’t hear often enough:
Your entire garden does not have to match.
You can have tomatoes in a raised bed, cucumbers growing along an in-ground trellis, peppers in containers, and herbs in pots near the kitchen door.
Nobody from the Official Garden Inspection Department is coming to check.
A combination garden may actually make the most sense for your yard.
Maybe the back corner has excellent soil and is perfect for an in-ground bed. Perhaps the sunny spot beside the patio is ideal for containers. You might put a raised bed somewhere that has poor soil but excellent sunlight.
Use what works where it works.
Think About Your Life, Not Just Your Yard
When choosing a garden type, consider more than sunlight and soil.
Think about your available time. Think about your budget.
Think about how much bending, kneeling, lifting, and hauling you comfortably want to do.
Think about whether you own your home or may need to move in the future.
Think about whether you want to grow three pepper plants or enough vegetables to feed a small army.
Your garden should fit your life.
A small container garden that you enjoy and maintain is better than twelve raised beds that make you want to hide inside every time you see them.
Start With What Makes Sense Right Now
You do not have to build your final dream garden during your first season.
Start with containers while you learn your yard. Dig a small in-ground bed and see how you like it. Build one raised bed instead of six.
You can expand later.
Gardening is full of experimentation. What works beautifully for one person may be completely wrong for another.
Choose the garden type (s) and/or combination that works for your space, budget, body, and available time. Your garden, your adventure!
Then you plant something. You can always change your mind next season. Gardeners do it all the time!
Until Next Time!
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