Are in-ground beds better than raised beds? Find Out!
If you are planning to start a garden or already have one and are considering expanding the existing space, you might have some dilemmas. Should you opt for a raised-bed garden or a conventional in-ground garden? We have compiled some pros and cons for both gardening styles to help you determine which would work best for your space.
Raised bed gardens look aesthetically pleasing. In raised beds, it becomes easier for gardeners to neatly arrange all the plants to offer an organised and tidy look.
Most of your raised garden boxes will wear off with time and need replacement or repairs. When it is time to repair the beds, you have to put in strenuous work to replace boards and move soil. A raised garden bed’s durability depends on what materials you are using. For instance, wooden planter boxes are not as durable as stone-raised beds. Similarly, superior-quality wooden beds last longer than the poorly-made ones.
Raised beds help minimise weed intrusion as compared to in-ground gardens. The potential threat of weeds is unavoidable, but the tall borders of raised beds stave off weeds from sneaking in from around the garden. You can build a weed barrier underneath the raised bed to stop invasive weeds from creeping in from below.
If you want to create one or two raised beds, the expenses will likely be affordable. However, you have to spend a hefty amount to fill your entire yard with raised beds. Consider the cost of wood and other building materials.
If you have raised beds, you can build a garden despite having poor-quality soil. If your new garden’s soil is sprayed with herbicides, pesticides or other chemicals—you don’t have to worry about contamination. Raised beds can help your garden flourish without fretting about those toxins. Get fresh soil to fill your raised beds and create a safe breeding ground, where your plants can grow.
Raised beds are perfect for growing a variety of crops, but they are not the best choice for those who want a large-scale garden. If you want to build a big garden, opting for raised beds may not be the best idea because creating several wooden boxes will cost an astronomical amount.
You can sow your plants directly in the soil without needing to spend money on building raised beds. All you need is a shovel to dig the soil. Purchase some cheap chicken wire and use it for fencing, packets of seeds, and store-bought fertiliser or homemade compost to enrich the existing soil. With just a few inexpensive supplies, you can start building your garden.
Unless you are using mulch to keep away weeds—your in-ground garden will likely be prone to weed infestation. Grass tends to sneak in around the edges of in-ground gardens if not consistently pulled out. In-ground gardens face this challenge because you are growing plants in existing weeds and grass rather than creating raised beds on the ground.
If you have an in-ground garden, you have existing soil—and you only need to invest in fertiliser and compost (or build a compost pit). You don’t have to spend a hefty amount on store-bought soil—as you would otherwise need, to fill raised garden beds.
To sow seeds in an in-ground garden, you have to indulge in some digging. You have to dig the soil and remove the grass. If you are digging manually with a shovel, you have to invest a lot of your time, energy and effort into it.
Every gardener has different priorities and unique needs—based on the pros and cons you can determine which one works best for you.
