Not sure where to plant your canning garden? This beginner-friendly guide compares raised beds, container gardening, and in-ground planting so you can grow food with confidence—no matter your space or budget.

Raised Beds, Buckets, or Rows: Choosing the Right Growing Method for You

You finally carved out a little space for a garden—maybe a corner of the yard, maybe just the patio—and now you’re staring at it, wondering how you’re actually supposed to grow anything out there. Raised beds? Buckets? Just dig a hole and hope for the best?

It’s one of those decisions that sounds simple, until you start Googling. Then suddenly you’re knee-deep in articles about soil amendments and drainage gravel, and you’re this close to giving up and buying tomatoes at the store again.

But hold up—we’re not doing overwhelm here.

This post is your shortcut to figuring it out. We’ll talk through the pros and cons of raised beds, container gardening, and in-ground planting so you can pick what actually works for you. Not what looks perfect on Pinterest. Not what your cousin’s husband swears by. Just a setup that fits your space, your life, and your canning goals—whether that’s a pantry full of homemade salsa or just a few jars of jam to make you feel like a rockstar.

Raised Bed Gardening

Let’s talk about the crowd favorite: raised beds. These are those neat little garden boxes you see on Instagram, full of perfect lettuce and tidy rows of carrots. They’re basically wooden (or metal or composite) frames filled with good soil that sit right on top of your yard—no digging into your existing ground required.

Why people love them:
Raised beds are kind of like the minivan of gardening—practical, reliable, and easier on your back. You’re in control of the soil, which means fewer surprises and better drainage. They also warm up faster in the spring, so you can get planting earlier—huge win when you’re itching to get those tomatoes going.

But here’s the flip side:
They’re not free. Building the beds and filling them with soil can get pricey, especially if you go all in with multiple beds at once. And because they sit up higher, they can dry out faster in the summer, so you’ll be out there watering more often.

Who they’re great for:
If you’ve got a bit of yard space, want something tidy and manageable, and like the idea of skipping the whole “digging up the lawn” part, raised beds are a dream. They’re especially nice if you’re just getting started and want to grow enough for small-batch canning—like a few jars of pickles or a stash of herb-infused tomato sauce.e planning to grow just enough for small-batch canning—like pickled cucumbers, herbs, or a few jars of jam.

Bucket and Container Gardening

No yard? No problem. Container gardening is your go-to if you’ve got a sunny patio, a balcony, or even just a driveway with a little wiggle room. Think buckets, grow bags, big flower pots—basically anything that can hold soil and has drainage holes.

Why it’s kind of amazing:
Containers are so easy to start with. No tools, no building, no digging—just fill one up with soil, pop in your plant, and you’re off. You can move them around to catch the sun (or avoid a surprise frost), and best of all, no weeding. Like, barely any. Which honestly feels like cheating, but in the best way.

What to keep in mind:
You’ll need to water more often—like, every day when it’s hot out—because the soil dries out quicker in containers. And you’re limited on space, so you probably won’t be growing a pantry full of green beans this way. But for a couple of tomato plants, some peppers, or even a pot of strawberries? Perfect.

Who this is great for:
If you’re short on space, renting, or just dipping your toes into gardening without wanting to commit to a full setup, containers are a gentle and forgiving place to start. Even one bucket can give you enough cherry tomatoes to toss into a jar of homemade salsa—and hey, that counts.

In-Ground Gardening AKA Row Gardening

Good old-fashioned dig-a-hole-and-plant-it gardening. This is what your grandma probably did, and if you’ve got the space, it’s still one of the best ways to grow a lot of food without spending a lot of money.

Why it’s the classic:
You’re working with what you’ve got—no beds to build, no soil to haul in. Just you, a shovel, and a patch of earth. Once it’s set up, it’s super cost-effective and great for big harvests. The soil holds moisture well, and you’re not limited by the size of a bucket or frame, which means you can really go wild with tomatoes, beans, corn—you name it.

But here’s the thing:
You do need decent soil—or at least the willingness to improve it. And unless you’re a unicorn, weeds will be part of the deal. There’s also more bending, kneeling, and digging involved, so if your knees hate you already, this method might not be your best friend.

Who this is great for:
If you’ve got a backyard, a tight budget, and big canning dreams (we’re talking shelves full of tomatoes, beans, cucumbers…), in-ground gardening is worth the extra effort. It’s a little more hands-on, but it gives back in spades once things get growing.

Which Gardening Setup is Right for You and Your Veggies?

Alright, so now you’ve got three solid options—but how do you actually decide what’s right for you? Think of it like choosing between a slow cooker, an Instant Pot, and a cast iron skillet. They all work—you just have to figure out what fits your life right now.

Here’s a little checklist to help you sort it out:

What kind of space do you have?
Tiny patio? Go with containers.
Small yard with room for something tidy? Raised beds.
Got a chunk of lawn you’re willing to dig up? In-ground all the way.

How much time (and energy) do you want to put in?
If you’ve got little ones running around or you’d rather not spend your Saturday weeding, raised beds or containers will be way easier to keep up with. In-ground takes a little more hustle—but you can grow a lot more food.

What’s your budget looking like?
Containers can be dirt cheap (hello, repurposed 5-gallon buckets). In-ground wins for lowest cost overall. Raised beds? Super cute and low-maintenance, but they’ll ask more from your wallet up front.

What are you hoping to grow?
Just enough for a couple jars of pickles and salsa? Containers or raised beds are great. Dreaming of filling a pantry with enough homegrown produce to skip the store all winter? In-ground gives you the room to go big.

And hey—you don’t have to pick just one.
Plenty of backyard gardeners mix and match. Tomatoes in buckets on the porch, herbs in a raised bed by the kitchen, beans growing in rows at the back of the yard. There’s no rule that says you have to go all in on one method from the start.

At the end of the day, the best growing method is the one that feels doable. Not perfect. Not Pinterest-worthy. Just something that works for you, your space, your energy, and your goals this season. Start small, keep it simple, and let your garden grow with you. Whether you’re pulling tomatoes out of a bucket or picking cucumbers from a long row in the backyard, you’re doing it—and those future jars of home-canned goodness are going to taste even sweeter because you started right where you are.

Read Next

Once you’ve picked your growing setup, the next question usually pops up fast: What on earth should I plant? If you’re staring at seed catalogs or garden center shelves feeling a bit overwhelmed, this post will help you focus: Start a Canning Garden with Just 2 Crops It’s perfect if you’re short on space or time, and walks you through two simple, high-yield crops that are great for beginners and incredibly useful for home canning. It’s a low-pressure way to dip your toes into growing food with a purpose.

Still figuring out how much to plant for your pantry goals?

How Many Plants Do I Need for Canning? We break down the numbers in plain English—how many tomato plants you’ll need for sauce, how many bean bushes for a few jars of dilly beans, and so on. It’s a total confidence booster when you’re planning your garden space.

And once that first crop starts coming in…

Water Bath Canning for Beginners You’ll be ready to turn your homegrown harvest into something delicious and shelf-stable. This guide walks you through your very first water bath canning project without the overwhelm—perfect for small-batch jams, pickles, and sauces.