When you think of home gardening, what do you imagine? Do you think of a big sprawling backyard garden with lots of rows, or do you think of raised beds? Which is the ideal gardening method?
You might not be surprised to find out that it depends a lot on your choice of garden location, your soil quality, and other details. That’s why you’ll want to consider the benefits and drawbacks and what is important for your personal success as a gardener.
What are Garden Rows?
If you have enough space in your garden and good soil quality, you may prefer to plant in rows. Rows can be economical and easier to get started because they make use of the existing soil and don’t require a lot of setup. They can provide more room for crops that take up a lot of space or require extra support, like trellises or tomato cages. Rows also allow gardeners to hoe around the roots and mound up soil for better water retention.
Rows are much easier to navigate if they are planted far apart with plenty of space in between, but there is a danger of the soil becoming compacted if it’s not maintained and kept loose.
Large corridors between rows are useful for those with machinery like tractors, plows, or harvesters, and they’re often used in large-scale agriculture for just this reason.
Rows are also easy to water through the use of furrows or placing sprinklers or other irrigation systems between rows.
In-ground gardens are not as permanent as beds and can be easily reverted to other uses in years you don’t want to grow a garden.
What are Raised Beds?
Raised beds can be an excellent solution to poor-quality soil or space considerations.
Constructing a raised bed can be costly, however, especially when you factor in any extra topsoil and amendments that need to be purchased.
Compact raised bed gardening can allow you to grow a surprising amount of food in a small space and can be more accessible for someone with limited mobility to tend.
Walking between raised beds will not compact the soil.
Raised beds do not retain moisture as well and may have increased water needs. It’s easier to manage weeds in a raised bed. Some crops are so large they may take up an entire bed and simply aren’t practical to be grown this way.
Alternative Methods
Although most discussion around garden beds is directly centered around raised bed gardening, it’s worth mentioning that beds can be grown directly in the ground, too. A block planting layout planted directly in the ground has some of the benefits and drawbacks of both raised bed and row gardening. An in-ground bed may be an efficient use of space for a small garden that’s more accessible and easier to maintain. An in-ground bed uses the existing soil, so consider that as well.
So Which Method Should You Choose?
Sometimes the best answer is to experiment to decide what works best for you.
You may decide to use a mixture of rows and beds, depending on what you plant in your garden and what space you have available. For example, you may have an herb garden planted in raised beds but decide that you prefer the ease of maintaining and harvesting your squash, beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, and melons when they are planted in rows or mounds.
A Three Sisters garden is a sort of hybrid design that might look more like rows or beds. Even though these three companion plants might be planted in rows of mounds or hills of the plants grouped together, the end result can look like a more densely packed bed.
There are so many types of gardens and gardeners. Too often, we get hung up on doing things the “right” way and finding a definitive answer for “which is best” -- even though what is perfect for one person’s situation might be completely wrong for another’s. Being adaptable and open to experimentation can often yield the best results.
Whether you decide to plant in rows, beds, or some combination of the two, be open and confident enough to change if you decide something isn’t working. There’s no substitute for experience when it comes to finding out what works best for you in your gardening journey.
Resources:
Tips to Make More Efficient Use of Your Garden Space - South Dakota State University Extension
Raised Beds Versus Rows - Colorado State University Extension
Block Style Layout in Raised Bed Vegetable Gardens - Colorado State University Extension
Raised Beds vs. In-Ground Gardens - University of Georgia Extension
Starting a raised bed garden - MSU Extension
Raised Bed Gardening - OSU Extension
Written by Teresa Chandler
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FAQs
In areas where it rains a lot, raised rows will drain better. And in northern climates, the soil will warm faster. Finally, raised rows mean fewer weeds. This method can be done over top of an existing garden bed, over a lawn, or over another patch of earth.
What is the most productive garden layout? ›
As a general rule, put tall veggies toward the back of the bed, mid-sized ones in the middle, and smaller plants in the front or as a border. Consider adding pollinator plants to attract beneficial insects that can not only help you get a better harvest, but will also prey on garden pests.
Are raised beds better for gardening? ›
Raised beds offer soil control.
Whether you battle clay soil, or you've experienced a soil-born disease in your garden, these beds allow you to control the content and structure of the soil, ensuring a nutrient-rich environment for your plants.
What are the disadvantages of raised beds? ›
The cons of raised beds
The soil mix also can be a significant, albeit one-time, expense. Raised beds need water more often since the soil is more exposed to air and dries quicker. Similar to growing in containers, the extra watering can leach nutrients out of the soil quicker than in-ground gardens.
What is the most popular home gardening method? ›
Raised Bed Gardening
Raised beds are becoming popular among gardeners because they offer many plant growth benefits. Gardeners use this method to raise vegetables, flowers, and herbs above the soil surface.
What type of garden adds most value? ›
How much value does a south facing garden add? When it comes to adding value, the best direction for your garden to face is south. A study by Rightmove revealed homes with south facing gardens had asking prices more than £20,000 higher than those without. However, south facing gardens aren't for everyone.
What is the most common garden layout for growing vegetables? ›
The most basic garden plan consists of a design with straight, long rows running north to south orientation. A north to south direction will ensure that the garden gets the best sun exposure and air circulation. A garden that runs east to west tends to get too shaded from the crops growing in the preceding row.
What should you not grow in a raised garden bed? ›
A list of plants not to grow in your raised beds:
- Potatoes.
- Asparagus.
- Artichokes.
- Rhubarb.
- Corn.
- Wheat.
- Rice.
- Winter Squash.
Some of the benefits of raised bed gardening are: Less weeds. Better water retention in areas that have super-sandy soil.
Do tomatoes like raised beds? ›
Growing in a raised bed allows you to create the perfect conditions for your tomato plants, rather than trying to amend your native soil to get just-right conditions.
They should have at least 8 inches of soil depth to accommodate the root systems of plants, because the majority of plant roots require 6 – 8 inches of soil for healthy root growth. A depth of 8 – 12 inches will suffice for most gardening situations.
What do you put in the bottom of a raised garden bed? ›
Soil is the foundation of your garden, and you want it to be healthy so you can set your plants up for success! We recommend buying high-quality, nutrient-rich soil in bulk. Or, you can make a soil mix with equal parts topsoil, organic materials (leaves, composted manure, ground bark), and coarse sand.
What is the life expectancy of a raised bed? ›
Raised Garden Beds Can Last a Couple Years to a Lifetime
Here's the short answer based on the type of material used for the raised bed: WOOD RAISED BED: 5-10 years. METAL RAISED BED: 30 years. STONE RAISED BED: lifetime.
What is the most efficient vegetable garden layout? ›
Additionally, arrange the plants in such a way that the tallest ones are at the north end of the row, followed by medium-height veggies, and finally, the shortest ones at the south end. This arrangement maximizes sunlight exposure for all the plants.
Should I plant in a ground or raised bed? ›
Raised Beds Provide Better Drainage Than In-Ground Gardens
In-ground plants are more likely to sit in water because you have no control over the drainage, so you risk battling mold, rot, and mildew. Poor drainage can even just prevent your greens from flourishing.
Does a garden have to have rows? ›
Planting in rows can make sense on big pieces of land. But in a home vegetable garden, we're growing on a different scale. In a home veggie garden, we're limited by space. And that means growing some vegetables in blocks, instead of spread-out rows of plants.
What vegetables should not be planted next to each other? ›
14 Vegetables You Should Never Plant Together—Gardening Experts Explain Why
- 01 of 14. Beans and Onions. ...
- 02 of 14. Tomatoes and Potatoes. ...
- 03 of 14. Corn and Tomatoes. ...
- 04 of 14. Tomatoes and Brassicas. ...
- 05 of 14. Cucumber and Squash. ...
- 06 of 14. Lettuce and Celery. ...
- 07 of 14. Fennel and Tomatoes. ...
- 08 of 14. Peppers and Cabbage.
East-facing gardens receive morning sunlight and tend to be cooler in the afternoon, making them ideal for cool-season crops. South-facing gardens receive the most direct sunlight, making them great for heat-loving plants, but they can also be prone to drying out quickly.
How can I maximize my garden production? ›
6 Ways to Maximize Your Vegetable Garden
- Raised beds. ...
- Improve the Soil. ...
- Smart plant selection. ...
- Start early, finish late. ...
- Plant closely. ...
- Water and weeds.
However, because they are both heavy feeders, require a lot of moisture and light, and need adequate space around them to promote healthy air circulation, they may compete. In light of this, if you want to grow cucumbers and tomatoes together, it is best to plant them 45 – 60 cm apart and in separate soil if possible.
