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Raised Beds and Container Gardening Made Simple
You’ve made it to the final lesson in our beginner gardening series! In the last post, we planted our first seeds and watched them sprout into little green promises. If you’re still with us, congratulations—you’ve stuck through the whole process, and now it’s time to decide where your plants will live. Today we’re digging into raised bed and container gardening.
This post is perfect for folks who don’t have much yard space, who want to avoid back-breaking weeding, or who simply want more control over their growing area. Let’s make raised bed and container gardening easy, affordable, and fun.
What Are Raised Beds and Containers?
Raised beds are framed garden plots above ground. Containers are individual pots or tubs. Both are great for control and convenience.
Why Choose Raised Beds?
Raised beds offer controlled soil, better drainage, and less bending. A 4×8 bed is a good start.
NOTE:
We will be adding an addendum, of sorts, about construction of a raised bed. You will be able to easily adjust the size to fit your garden space. Keep an eye out for its publication.
Why Choose Containers?
Containers work well on patios, balconies, and porches. You can grow herbs, tomatoes, and more in buckets or pots.
What You’ll Need
Good soil, compost, gloves, watering tools, and mulch. Raised beds may need a shovel; containers need drainage holes.
Picking the Right Spot
Choose sunny areas with wind protection. Keep water access in mind.
What Grows Best Where?
Plant Type
Raised Bed
Container
Needs staking
Tomatoes
✅
✅
Needs staking
Basil & Herbs
✅
✅
Patio-friendly
Leafy Greens
✅
✅
Shade-tolerant
Carrots & Beets
✅
✅
Need deep pots
Squash & Zucchini
✅
✅
Spread out
Strawberries
✅
✅
Prefer acidic soil
Watering Tips
Water in the morning. Mulch helps. Containers dry faster than beds.
HINT: If you stick your finger into the pot’s soil and it doesn’t feel cool…The pot’s too dry.
Keeping Things Tidy
Weed early, use trellises, and label your plants. Remember, those cucumber, tomatoes, and beans need something to hang on to. Be ready to stake or trellis as soon as they srart to climb. Labeling your plants when you plant the seeds will sure save a lot of confusion when they sprout and you can’t tell one sprout from another.
Problems to Watch For
Dry soil, yellow leaves, pests, or stunted growth. Fix with attention to watering, spacing, and sunlight. Learn about companion planting to help keep those bugs off your stuff. Certain plants like marigolds will discourage offensive insects eating your harvest. Other pest just need a spray with a good (sometimes homemade) insect deterrent.
I have a Natural Insecticide PDF available. Please share your name and email address in the form below.
Wrap-Up
Raised beds and containers make gardening easy for everyone. In our next post, we’ll recap the entire series and share a guide.
