Should I buy raised garden beds or plant in the ground?

Choosing between raised garden beds and planting in the ground depends on your budget, physical comfort, and native soil quality.

Choose raised beds if you have poor-draining clay soil, contaminated soil, or physical limitations that make bending down difficult. They offer perfect soil control, warm up faster in the spring, and look neat, but require a significant upfront investment in materials and soil.

Choose in-ground planting if you are on a budget, have decent native soil, or want to grow sprawling crops like corn, pumpkins, and melons. In-ground beds retain moisture much better than raised beds, saving on water bills, though they require more weeding and physical labor to maintain.