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Should I plant in containers, raised garden beds or in the ground?

The answer to these gardening questions depends on your gardening situation. Most plants can be grown in containers, in raised garden beds or in the ground.  Your choice depends on how much space you have, how good your ground soil is and your particular gardening needs.

For example, if you live in an area where you need to bring your plants inside in the winter, you will want to plant in containers. But if you want your plants to have more soil space to establish expansive root systems, you will want to plant them in raised beds or in the ground.  In the Berkshires, plant trees and shrubs in the ground where the soil can better insulate root systems and stay consistently frozen.

Another benefit of growing in containers or raised garden beds is that you can more easily work and control the quality of your soil. Plus, container gardening can allow you to grow your own food even if you only have a small patio or balcony.

If you enjoy gardening but have difficulties with stooping, bending or squatting repeatedly, you can build tall raised garden beds that allow you to garden while standing or you can place containers on platforms for the same effect.

On the other hand, you can save money by growing in the ground, since you do not have to pay for containers or for materials to build raised garden beds.

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