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There are two kinds of gardens for residential backyards and I will discuss the pros and cons of both.
Raise Bed Gardens and Inground Plot Gardens.
Raise Bed Gardens:
Pros
1. It is used when native soil is poor.
2. It can be built in most locations.
3. Raise beds are attractive.
4. Good when harvesting, less bending down.
5. When the bottom is lined with wire mesh,
underground pests such as moles and voles can be prevented from entering.
6. Minimal weeding.
Cons
1. It can be expensive to build or buy.
2. Filling it with good quality soil from big box stores or nurseries can be expensive in bags.
3. Raise-bed gardens need to be watered more often.
4. Must be replaced if made of any material that will rot or
decay.
In-ground Plot Garden
Pros
1. Nothing to buy or build.
2. uses less water.
3. Beds can be planted right away.
4. Any plant can be planted.
Cons
1. The garden plot must be tilled.
2. The possibility of walking on planted beds or rows compacting the soil.
3. No protection from underground pests.
4. If poor soil must be amended with organic material.
5. More weeding and more work in harvesting crops.
Location
Have your garden plot soil tested
If you do not have quality soil, you can always have your soil tested. By testing your soil it will tell you the nutrients your soil has and the nutrients you need to add to your soil.
To get information on having your soil tested.
Kansas City Community Gardens
Now that you have chosen the kind of garden you want, you must choose a location.
Choose a sunny location that receives 8 to 10 of the sun for fruit-bearing plants such as
tomatoes, melons, squash, etc., and for sun-loving plants such as corn, okra, bean, etc.
Use mulch to control weeds, such as wood chips, grass clippings, or straw.
Some plants grow in part shade like lettuces, carrots, beets, some herbs, etc.
Controlling Pests
Good designs and a healthy garden have few problems with pests. However, problems sometimes occur and we must intervene.
If you are an organic gardener there are many organic insecticides you can use that can be purchased at big box stores or nurseries such as neem oil, insecticidal soap, etc.
Some pests such as squirrels, rat coons, rabbits, etc. can become a problem for gardeners. In the past, we have tried to control these pests with electronic sound devices, predator spray, and scented pouches, but none of them worked for us.
What has worked well for us are small animal traps, where the animal caught is released in a new location at least 3 miles from your garden plot.
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