Affiliate Disclaimer: This post, document, email, or site may contain affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, The Plant More Project may receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). We use this money to help run our organization and continue our mission. Here’s a link to our full disclosures, terms & privacy if you’d like to read more.
There are so many ways to garden and each has pros and cons. Explore these 10 options and choose which works best for you.
Think about the seasons before starting a garden of any size so you can plan out the details in advance.
Containers offer a lot of flexibility and design options.
1) Container Gardening
Pros
They work well for any size space, especially smaller spaces.
You can move containers around easily unless you get a giant one.
Environmentally friendly as the fish waste doesn’t run off into our water systems. It keeps recycling back into the plants.
It can be cost-effective once set up and you don’t need to buy fertilizers because you have fish doing the work for you.
It is fun to interact with the fish and there are so many beautiful species options. Koi, goldfish, tilapia.
Two food sources, plants, and fish (tilapia).
Cons
The initial setup and purchase of fish can be expensive.
Requires maintenance of the system and the fish.
Limited on the plants that can be grown this way.
Uses a lot of electricity because of larger pumps and filters.
The fish produce a lot of waste.
You’ll need larger more complicated filters to clean the water because of the fish. These are more expensive than the air stones, misters, and fountain pumps found in hydroponics and aeroponics.
You must monitor the health of the fish daily.
Grow a garden in a closed container and watch the magic happen.
Water recycles itself in the closed terrarium so you don’t need to water often. Some don’t need water at all after proper setup.
Endless options for internal decorations. Add some rocks or fairies.
Easy to create.
Can use recycled jars, fish tanks, wine glasses, and more to make your own.
Closed terrariums can recycle their air as well.
Makes a great educational project. Shows the interactions of plants, soil, water, and air.
Cons
You will need some basic materials to set it up such as a nice container, rocks, soil, small plants that won’t grow very large like dwarf ferns, moss, orchids, or carnivorous plants.
Can rot if you over water.
Can attract bugs if you over water.
Containers can break.
Plants can rot or become diseased.
7) Water Gardening
Pros
A great option for wet landscapes.
Beautiful and tranquil.
Incorporates plants, water, and fish if desired.
You can grow plants that like their feet wet. Make sure to purchase or grow water-loving plants.
Encourages and supports wildlife.
You don’t need to water the plants.
Moving water actually helps clean the air.
Reduces lawns, pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides.
Creates an ecosystem.
You can add beautiful fish and interact with them.
Can raise your property value if done well.
Can be made any size you desire including in a container.
Can lower your stress levels and create a peaceful spot in your yard.
Cons
Can be costly to set up.
You will need to maintain it so it doesn’t get swampy.
8) Rock Gardening
Pros
Simple to create.
Looks clean and neat.
Easy to spot weeds if there are weeds at all.
Can use found or recycled materials as centerpieces.
Very low maintenance.
Requires no water.
Easy for a beginner.
Color and design options are endless.
Very zen looking.
A great conversation piece.
Can be combined with plants to create interest.
No pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, or chemicals needed.
Cons
Materials can be expensive in the beginning.
Can look drab or static.
Can hold heat.
9) Greenhouse Gardening
Pros
You can grow year-round. Holds heat in the winter and you can cool in it the summer with fans.
Takes up a significant amount of time to maintain.
Maybe unsightly to some. I love them.
Not great for beginners as you need to control a lot of variables such as climate, water, pests, disease, and many other details.
Uses a lot of electricity for heat, additional lights, and fans.
Can be a breeding ground for disease because it is moist and contained. It does need additional airflow installed such as a fan.
You have to stay on top of it as you are responsible for the plants well being from top to bottom.
It can fall apart if the wrong materials are used for your area. Wood can rot, metal gets cold in the winter, covers can break with a heavy snow load. You must make sure you use the right materials for your area.
Build community with a garden.
10) Community Gardening
Pros
You get to know new people.
Gardening brings the community together.
You learn so many things around other gardeners.
Inexpensive place to grow a garden.
Easy setup. Raised beds are usually already done for you in an established community garden.
Networking. You meet people from all walks of life.
Creates a more educated, healthier community.
Provides fresh food.
Teaches leadership and responsibility.
Gets people out and about in nature which has physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits.
Can increase the property value of a neighborhood.
Beautifies an area.
Cons
Conflicts. People are people and sometimes they don’t agree.
Theft. Yes, sometimes people will steal your harvest before you get to enjoy it.
Long term maintenance issues. When people get burnt out they stop tending to the garden.
Resources. Most community gardens don’t have a fund to fix and maintain their garden so it falls apart. This is why using recycled items are so wonderful.
There are many more options and combinations. The sky is the limit when it comes to gardening. So which did you pick? Why not try a few of them and see what works best for you.
Can you think of any other ways to garden? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
10 Ways To Garden, which way works best for you?
Leave a Comment
Posted: August 13, 2020 by Stephanie Montalvo
Affiliate Disclaimer: This post, document, email, or site may contain affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, The Plant More Project may receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). We use this money to help run our organization and continue our mission. Here’s a link to our full disclosures, terms & privacy if you’d like to read more.
There are so many ways to garden and each has pros and cons. Explore these 10 options and choose which works best for you.
Think about the seasons before starting a garden of any size so you can plan out the details in advance.
1) Container Gardening
Pros
Cons
2) Raised Bed Gardening
Pros
Cons
3) Hydroponic Gardening
Pros
Cons
4) Aeroponic Gardening
Pros
Cons
5) Aquaponic Gardening
Pros
Cons
6) Terrarium Gardening
Pros
Cons
7) Water Gardening
Pros
Cons
8) Rock Gardening
Pros
Cons
9) Greenhouse Gardening
Pros
Cons
10) Community Gardening
Pros
Cons
There are many more options and combinations. The sky is the limit when it comes to gardening. So which did you pick? Why not try a few of them and see what works best for you.
Can you think of any other ways to garden? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Plant Power On
Stephanie
Category: Blog, Container Gardening, Fruits, Herbs, House Plants, Hydroponics & Aeroponics, Landscape, Services, Sprouts & Microgreens, Vegetables Tags: 10 ways to garden, Aeroponic, air planting, aquaponics, beginner gardening, container, container gardening, how to grow a garden, how to start a garden, plant more, plants, terrarium gardens, which way to garden