Hyuge Outdoor Raised Beds/Pots VS In the Ground?

[Bradley_Danks]

How come so many folks grow in huge raised beds/pots outdoors instead of growing directly in the ground?

Is it because of the control over the soil? Are folks growing with chemicals outdoor so they need to be able to flush? Why?

 

[DuskrayTroubador]

I would say that much of it has to do with decreasing the workload. In places where the native soil sucks dick, it's a much bigger bitch to dig out a big hole and fill it with soil than it is to just buy/make a smartpot and fill it up with soil.

That and moving them if need be I suppose.

 

[Kygiacomo!!!]

another reason as well is that raised beds/smart pots get alot more air to the roots and makes the plants grow bigger in addition to what shakiraloba advised is my opinion..i hate digging holes!

 

[BAKED_BEANZ]

depending on rainfall, garden beds prevent root rott and provide more oxygen

 

[DuskrayTroubador]

It is important to note though that raised beds and pots require more watering. Mounds/pots mimic air temperature while soil in the earth doesn't (well, the effects are very minimal as to be negligible) so whenever it gets hot outside, so does the soil in the mounds/pots, which can lead to heat stress and dehydration if one doesn't stay on top of watering responsibilities.

Do what is best for your unique circumstances just know the ups, downs, and responsibilities that come with each approach. I.e. if you live in the desert southwest or another place where the soil sucks dick or is a bitch to dig (such as the very rocky parts of the Northeast) it might be better to plant in mounds/pots. Just know you gotta keep em watered. If you live in a very warm climate with good native soil and you can't visit your plants whenever, it is probably better to get digging.

 

[VonBudí]

How come so many folks grow in huge raised beds/pots outdoors instead of growing directly in the ground?

reasons mentioned + gophers

 

[Backyard Farmer]

It all works no way works better when u go 4+. yards it's all good

 

[jackel]

I've been growing in the ground with big holes for few years, lately I've discovered I have feserium wilt. It's nearly impossible to dig out all the effected soil. So bags can be dumped easier.

 

[MelloYello]

I

 

[Baked Alaskan]

I've had to use raised beds in Alaska for my veggies. Mainly because the ground is frozen so long into summer and the ph of conifer soil is acidic. lots of other benefits listed here also. It depends where you live, different conditions will dictate what you have to do.

 

[Bradley_Danks]

Very good feedback! It is good to hear that there are a number of positives and negatives to using raised beds and pots. For a minute I was wondering if there was a major reason that I was overlooking. A lot of the mentioned ideas I have ran across and some are new all together. Thanks folks. Feel free to keep discussing more ideas.

 

[BAKED_BEANZ]

depending on rainfall, garden beds prevent root rott and provide more oxygen

i said this, but along side these is also its looser than the ground as you have turned it all. so easier for roots to boom . but ideally you want a mini excavator. so bush gorilla grow is out.

 

[Dankstang]

rocked both and it comes down to your native soil.
I tried 300gal bags and got 2-3 per bag.
Did much better when I made cakes with wire mesh bottoms
I have a nice rich soil near the river that made my baby clones put in ground to 9.5/10' x 36' round trees. don't think i'll ever go back!

 

[Bradley_Danks]

rocked both and it comes down to your native soil.
I tried 300gal bags and got 2-3 per bag.
Did much better when I made cakes with wire mesh bottoms
I have a nice rich soil near the river that made my baby clones put in ground to 9.5/10' x 36' round trees. don't think i'll ever go back!

Whats a cake with a wire mesh bottom?

Also, what do you think works better if the quality of the soil is the same: ground or bags?

 

[BigNoise]

I'm trying to decide between the two at the moment.

As I understand so far:
-pots/raised beds = more control
-ground = potentially less maintenance, watering wise

Is that about right?

 

[Bradley_Danks]

I'm trying to decide between the two at the moment.

As I understand so far:
-pots/raised beds = more control
-ground = potentially less maintenance, watering wise

Is that about right?

Those are some of the ups and downs. Those are correct in my opinion. I like how the roots can have more room to grow in the ground. I dont like how plants get root bound in containers and can be hard to keep up with watering at times. There are solutions and remedies for all these scenarios. What you should do depends on your resources and capabilities.