Starting Your First Organic Vegetable Garden: Raised Beds vs. In-Ground

First garden, sunny lawn spot, unknown history. Two paths: dig in-ground or build raised beds. For beginners, raised beds win.

Raised Bed Advantages

• Control soil quality from day one (buy certified organic bagged mix).
• No need to test/treat existing lawn soil.
• Better drainage, earlier spring warming.
• Defined space = easier planning, less compaction.
• Accessible: no tilling, less bending.

Simple Raised Bed Build

• 8-ft landscape timbers, stacked 3–4 high (12–16").
• Secure corners with L-brackets or long screws.
• Fill with bagged organic garden soil (compost + topsoil + peat/coco coir).
• Resource: MU Extension Raised Bed Guide.

If You Dig In-Ground

• Remove sod (don't till it in).
• Dig 18"+ deep; backfill with bagged soil unless native soil is sandy loam.
• Amend with compost, greensand, cottonseed meal.
• Skip plastic liner — impedes drainage.
• Soil test optional Year 1; do it Year 2.

Essential: Start a Compost Pile

Your garden's future fertility depends on recycling kitchen/garden waste. Simple bin, layer greens/browns, turn occasionally. Black gold in 6–12 months.

Welcome to organic growing. Your taste buds will notice the difference.