There are several different viewpoints when it comes to how to garden. When it comes to having a raised bed garden or an in-ground garden, it really comes down to preference. Both have their benefits and drawbacks that are dependent on various different factors.
What is a raised bed?
A raised bed is typically a box or a container where plants or vegetables are grown. They can be made from wood, metal, tin, bricks, concrete, stone… pretty much anything that can hold soil. As with both types of gardens, choosing this type of structure has many benefits.
Benefits
Build better soil
Raised beds can take less time and money when it comes to building ideal soil composition. You can use native soil in the bottom of your bed to save on cost and use compost on the top where you are planning on planting. Additionally, many people will fill the bottom of their beds with logs, sticks, and leaves that will later decompose and enrich their soil.
Better drainage
Sometimes the land you have is not the land you want and in many areas of the country the land is hilly, rocky, or composed of clay. This can lead to areas of flooding and soil that is unable to drain water at a sufficient pace. You automatically get better drainage with raised beds since they are off the ground and, if properly amended, have soil that allows for better drainage.
Avoid pests
In a garden, pests just come with the territory. While you can use pesticides to deter insects’ gophers, rabbits, and even dogs are an entirely different matter. Raised beds provide an easy solution preventing pests like rabbits and, if you place chicken wire on the bottom, even gophers. Dogs find it harder to get to and dig although cats can still be an issue without proper fencing.
Easier on your back
Whether you are young or old bending over a large plot of land can be hard on your back and your knees. Your knees can be saved with garden cushions but raised beds are much easier on the back. You can even customize them to be tall enough to where you can garden standing (although that will come with an additional cost).
Portable
If you do decide to move down the road, raised beds can be emptied and taken with you. With enough planning and a truck, you can even take the soil you’ve already invested in.
More Manageable
Raised beds are not typically used for large scale gardening which makes them more manageable. Most are contained to a specific area and are 4ft by 6ft or 4ft by 8ft.
Size aside, it is often easier to keep unwanted weeds out raised beds. Since they are built off the ground, it is harder for weeds to reseed which instantly cuts down on the time you have to spend weeding. Weeds can be further held at bay if you choose to mulch your walkways. Raised bed can also be easier to water as well as to amend which add to their manageability.
Longer growing season
This may not be a factor depending on where you live but in areas, such as northern regions, raised beds can help extend your growing season. Not only is it easier to cover them, but the soil in raised bed warms up quicker in the spring and stays warmer in the fall when temperatures begin to drop.
Drawbacks
Higher investment
Raised beds come with a fairly high initial start-up cost; not only do you have to buy materials to build a frame, but you also have to buy the soil to fill them. Many people do not find it feasible to pay such a large sum of money at once. To help, cost can be broken up if you expand over time and reclaimed materials can be used to build.
Maintenance
Unfortunately, as with most things, your raised beds will eventually need to fixed or rebuilt. Galvanized metal is the most long-lasting option but if you want more than a few beds, but it comes with a hefty price tag.
Space
While having a smaller space is easier to manage, having raised beds can limit how much you can grow. Even using reclaimed materials can cost money and many people find that they are unable to grow enough for sustainability as they can’t afford a sizable growing space.
What is an in-ground garden?
An in-ground garden is a prepared plot, either tilled or amended, where you can plant vegetables or flowers directly into the ground. It requires no building materials but may need additional soil depending on what method is chosen to grow. It is a preferred by many people due to its versatility and availability.
Benefits
Using Existing Soil
Unlike raised beds, if you have rich, native soil there is little cost in improving your gardening area. While many prefer using their native soil, no till does require additional compost and wood chips. Planting in rich loamy soil, if it is available, is the most cost-effective way to go.
Save on Materials
All you need to start your in-ground garden is land. The primary start-up costs of raised beds can be omitted, and you can save hundreds of dollars on materials and soil. Amending each season is always suggested but you can reduce your cost by over half simply by planting directly in the ground.
Can easily be moved
If you decide one season that you did not plant in an ideal area it is easy enough to move your in-ground garden. Raised beds can take heavy lifting and planning to move. You can amend or till a new area the following year and avoid the logistics that come with transporting raised beds.
Retain moisture for longer
Raised beds may be good for drainage but if you live in an area that is prone to drought, they will dry out faster. Most in-ground plots are able to retain moisture better and for longer.
Increased Planting Space
If you are shooting for sustainability, in-ground gardens can give you the space you need to grow most of your food. With idyllic soil composition and sunlight, your limit can be how much acreage you own.
More room to grow
If you are fond of growing squash, cucumbers, and melons you know that one plant can take up half of a raised bed. When space is limited, planting these vegetables in raised beds is not practical. In-ground gardening gives these sprawlers more space and, by allowing them to spread, you can increase productivity.
Using Heavy Machinery
Gardening can be time-intensive work when it comes to spreading compost, sowing, and weeding. With raised beds, your faced with doing most of those tasks by hand. When you chose an in-ground garden you have the option of using heavier machinery that can get the job done more quickly.
Drawbacks
Cost of Improving the Soil
If you have sandy, rocky, or clay soil the plants that will thrive in your area are drastically limited. The cost of improving your soil can be high. Realistically, it can take years and various cover crops to get your garden to productivity. This takes considerable time as well as money.
Poor drainage
It is hard to predict the weather each season and, even with tools such as the Farmer’s Almanac, there will always be surprises. During a wet year, you run the risk of your garden flooding if you chose to plant in-ground. This is further complicated if your native soil is clay which retains moisture and has poor drainage.
Pests
Planting in-ground gives pests easy access to your garden. Gophers, rabbits, deer, and voles will have a free buffet without proper protection. Many people in rural areas have to fence their gardens which increases the cost.
More Time Weeding
Weeding may come with the territory of having a garden, but in-ground gardens may get reseeded easier than raised beds. Not only do weeds have closer proximity but the wind can aid in blowing those seeds right into your plot.
Tough on your back/knees
In-ground gardens can be killer on your knees and back. Weeding, sowing, and even harvesting may have you kneeling/leaning over for hours at a time. Even if you are in good, physical condition, those tasks can leave you sore for days.
Which method of gardening is better?
There is no right way to garden. Coming from someone who has had both raised and in-ground gardens, the main consideration should be your purpose. There are certain plants, such as okra and sunflowers, that do well in poor to average soil. It’s plants like those that I chose for my in-ground plots as well as squash, cucumbers, and melons that can thrive with added compost. I used my raised beds for vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, kale, and lettuce that need better drainage. The important thing is to find what works best for you.
Which style of gardening do you prefer?
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