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There are more options for growing your garden than just "in the ground."  In fact, there are so many options that you can easily find the one or combination of choices that works for you.

 

Container - This is the most space saving option for gardners.  Containers can be anything from pots to old milk cartons.  Even totes from Target are useable!  Container gardening also offers you a way to have a garden on the move, so you can arrange it one way, and then move it later if you don't like it.  Many plants grow just as well in containers as they do in the ground.  It should be noted however that some plants don't do so well in containers, at least not in containers that are small.  Potatoes for example need quite a bit of room to form their potatoes underground, and you will need a large container for this purpose, which may defeat the point of having a container garden anyway. Plants ideal for containers include tomatoes, tomatillos, strawberries, herbs, peppers, lettuce, and more!  If you think container gardening is for you, go here to find out more.

 

 

In the ground - You can't go wrong with tilling up the ground and doing it the way it's been done for thousands of years. This may be the most labor intensive method, but it has several advantageous.  This method will most likely allow you the largest area to grow.  Creating a long row of about 30ft x 5ft is possible, while doing this with a raised bed would be incredibly expensive.  It also offers the advantage of being the cheapest, as you have no need to buy soil or other supplies to begin.  Disadvantages include however weeding, tilling, and creating good soil.  Depending on your location, you may need to add compost and soil amendments to create an adequate growing medium.

Raised beds - This option is great for the backyard gardener.  Raised beds provide you the opportunity have a great garden and make it customizable.  Raised beds also allow you to use any type of soil that you wish, bypassing what is in the ground where you are.  This can save you the time and effort of tilling and fertilizing.  Raised bed gardens also can be built to be as far off the ground as you wish.  This means gardeners with disabilities or health problems can build a bed high enough for them to be able to work comfortably.  Weeding also usually is not needed for raised beds, cutting out another time consuming task.

A raised bed can be defined as a enclosed area filled with a growing medium.  Popular methods include enclosing an area with wood (untreated), brick, or a premade kit such as here.  You may already have these items laying around, and can reduce some the financial impact by recycling these.  There are a few key points to keep in mind with these raised beds

  • Make sure to keep them a reasonable size.  A 10' by 10' garden may sound cool, but it is impossible to work in. Shoot for a something like 2x2, 3x3, 2x4, etc....  A 6x4 is probably the biggest you want to go.

  • Raised beds can be raised as high as you want!  You don't have to settle for it only being a few inches off the ground.  If you have back problems, sciatic pain, or are wheel chair bound you can raise your beds enough to make sure they are at a comfortable height.

 

 

Click here for an easy raised bed design!

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