Should you opt for a raised garden or should you rather use pots (otherwise known as containers)? When making this very big gardening decision, it is best to know as much as you possibly can about the two, because once your decision is made, considering the size of the garden you are creating, you are not going to want to, or perhaps you won’t be able to afford to, change it completely anytime soon.
There is often quite a lot of confusion between raised beds and container gardens because they can look very similar. Both have the benefit of not having to plant your plants directly into the garden, especially in cases where the soil is just too dry and lacking in nutrition to adequately support plants and both are also going to be contained gardens, meaning they are constricted to a certain amount of space.
The difference between a raised garden bed and a container garden, is that with the raised bed the garden will be on the ground but the soil is raised about a meter off the ground, while with the garden pots, the plants are placed directly in the pot, which allows the pot to be easily moved around. Pots can also only hold so much soil while the raised beds are far larger and as such can hold far more soil, which not only means there is more space overall, but the roots of the plants can grow more freely.
It is important that you make sure that you plan out your garden, so that you know exactly where the plants will be going and how much space you will need. That said, it is important to note that there are many factors that are going to influence your decision making, in particular, the pros and the cons of each type of garden.
Raised Garden Beds
Raised garden beds are beautifully unique and they are always an attractive addition to any garden. They are quite easy to put together and the biggest difference between the raised bed and the pot is that the bed doesn’t have a bottom to prevent the plants from growing wild. This means, the garden bed is likely to need a little extra maintenance, and more space than your potted plants, although because the bed is raised, the maintenance of the garden is not as strenuous as the average garden.
Raised beds are put directly into the garden and can really be placed anywhere you like. These beds can hold a little or a lot, depending on the number of plants you’d like to place within the bed, and they are often a wonderful option for growing vegetables of all kinds.
The advantages of going with the raised garden includes:
More space for roots to grow out, allowing plants to grow bigger.
Soil can be easily amended and improved before the next planting cycle, or just to improve the growth potential and health of the plants already planted there.
The soil will easily drain when the plants are watered. This ensures that root rot doesn’t take place.
Earthworms can easily be introduced to the soil, to give the soil more oxygen.
Soil can be continuously reused.
Less watering is necessary, should a simple irrigation system be set up.
The disadvantages of having a raised bed are minimal but include higher set up costs (the bed needs more soil than the potted plants), and the need to maintain the garden, especially to prevent pests.
Container Gardens
It is very difficult to miss these stylish garden features when out shopping for garden accessories. Most gardeners, even those who are not quite so dedicated to their gardening, will have a pot or 2 in their gardens. Potted plants are easy to maintain, grow quite beautifully, and they add something quite special to the garden or veranda décor.
Containers are used to grow all kinds of plants, including vegetables. Gardening with pots has become a real trend, because it allows those who don’t have large open spaces to connect with nature through their container garden, whether it is placed on their balcony or veranda, or in the limited space of a gated estate garden.
The container garden gives gardeners full control over their garden size and over the growth of their plants. The advantages of having a selection of pot plants includes:
Plants are very easy to move around
Pests can be easily controlled
Less soil is needed to grow the plants to their full potential
The process of transplanting the plants from one container to another is simple
Some of the disadvantages to keep in mind include the fact that the plants in pots have less space to grow, so in time, when the roots grow out wildly, the plant will need to be transplanted. Potted plants will also need more watering than other plants, making overwatering quite common, and overall, buying pots and the accompanying plants can be pricey.
Deciding on the type of garden for you
The first thing to consider when making your decision is the amount of space you have. Raised beds will certainly take up more space than potted gardens and can only really be an option if you have property with the space.
Secondly, potted gardens are more than capable of growing anywhere, which allows you to be more versatile with the placement of your plants, but your raised garden will need you to take sunlight and shade, as well as water availability, into consideration.
Thirdly, you should think carefully about the plants you intend to grow. Plants that have deeper roots are going to suffer in a pot but will flourish in a raised garden. At the same time, think about how big the plant is going to get. Top heavy plants will need the extra support. In containers, the top heavy plant can fall over, and the container can be damaged or broken.
Keep in mind though that both variations can be used in your garden, if you have a lot of space. There is no reason that you actually have to choose between one and the other. Using a combination of the two can give your garden a very unique look, while also quite easily meeting your gardening expectations.
At the end of the day, the choice you go with should be the one that best suits your needs and your garden goals.
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