Containers vs Raised Beds, What are the Pros and Cons?
I get this question a lot. Why would someone want to choose one growing container over another and how does it affect work flows and plant growth? Here's a quick comparison of the two options in an easy to read format.
Containers:
Pros:
Easy to move around
Easy to transplant out of into another container
Better for isolating or culling a plant
Typically uses less soil per plant
Easier to deal with pests and disease problems (soil can be removed)
Easier to sanitize room for indoor environments
Cons:
Less space for root growth, which can be a limiting factor
Potential for root girdling or getting "root bound" in non-air pruning pots
Typically requires more watering and nutrient management
Labor requirement is drastically higher due to the need to bring soil in and out of facility and transplant consistently to larger size containers throughout plant cycle
Harder to water evenly and manage properly
Raised Beds:
Pros:
Root space is not a limiting factor
Soil can be re-amended right in the bed for the next cycle
When re-using soil, it can be amended at lower rates than containers, allowing for quicker turn-around on cycle
You can run more of a "no till" style grow, allowing for better soil structure and soil ecology over time
Much less costly since you are re-using soil every cycle (some of our growers have gone over 4 years in the same soil)
Less environmental impact due to less runoff and no disposal of potting soil back into the environment
Easier to trellis and scrog the plants for an even canopy
Easier to setup irrigation and water; also less watering needed
Cons:
Harder to sanitize rooms since raised beds are usually permanent (some designs have them on rollers or pallets)
Higher initial cost due to needing more soil
Risk of certain pests can be tougher to manage organically (root knot nematode, root aphids, etc...), but not impossible
Personally I think raised beds offer the best solution in most instances, though I realize this is a tough transition for container growers. We are currently working with growers who have been re-using soil indoors in beds for over 5 years with minimal inputs. If this is something you are looking to trial in your indoor garden or facility, don't hesitate to reach out to me directly at tad@kisorganics.com and I'm happy to help!
