Where Should You Plant Your Garden? Here’s the Easiest Answer!

Finding the Best Garden Spot to Get Started — ASAP

When my husband and I started gardening, we didn’t overthink it.

We just went for it.

That day we were planting with my grandmother and decided to start our own garden.

Off we went to grab a few baby-sized veggie plants from a nursery. What was in stock was what was in season — so we left with jalapeño peppers and tomatoes.

From there, we picked a spot in our yard, turned the soil a little, and boxed the space in with old wood.

That was it.
We had a garden — in minutes.

That was just the beginning…

Our garden journey didn’t stop there…

Not long after, we tilled up a new space. That was back when we still tilled — we don’t anymore.

And now, we grow more than veggies everywhere:

• In the ground
• In no-dig garden beds
• In raised steel tubs
• In containers all over

So, where should you plant your garden? Here are 4 fast options:

1️⃣ DIRECTLY IN THE GROUND

If you’ve got space, this is probably the easiest and cheapest option to start today.

• Ground gardens usually need less watering than containers.
• Fruits and veggies need 8-10 hours of sun daily (minimum 6).
• Fruit trees produce better in the ground versus in pots.
• Pick a spot with—good airflow, good drainage, water access.
• Prep the spot by removing weeds and competing plants.
• Dump a few bags of garden soil directly on the ground. Add something to suppress weeds. And you’re done.

Want a longer growing season?

Try planting on higher ground. Here’s why! ⬇️⬇️
Low spots stay colder longer in spring, but higher ground warms up faster — which could mean earlier planting AND later harvests.

@lolacabaya Our melon patch did crazy work in its first year. 🍉 My husband + I grew 3 varieties: Crimson Sweet, Jubilee, Charleston Gray About two years ago, we added high-quality garden soil to this spot. My plan was for a cut flower patch. But I changed my mind. So, this year (2024), we turned it into a melon patch… And planted watermelon seedlings 🌱 (not seeds) with compost + manure. Our melons are tasty + sweet —— so you know we gotta save seeds to grow the next season. 😬 #thesmokingprophet #ncgardening #melonpatch #hardlyfarmers ♬ original sound – Lola Cabaya

2️⃣ RAISED BEDS ON THE GROUND

Raised beds can give you more control over soil issues and less weeds.

Last year, our garden turned into a water park (without the fun).

This year, we fixed it:

• Built low raised beds with bricks and wood
• Added pine bark fines to help water drain
• Topped our beds with premium garden soil and a weed barrier.

Want to make food-safe planters?

A priority for me is keeping our planter boxes garden safe — because we grow food to feed our family.

I know what goes into the soil can end up in what we eat. 🌱

That’s why we built these boxes with untreated wood, non-toxic milk paint, and a non-toxic stain that helps them handle the weather.

3️⃣ RAISED BEDS OFF THE GROUND

Great for patios, driveways, drainage issues, poor soil, or yards with aggressive tree roots from neighbors. This is great for anyone who wants to garden without bending.

• We use metal stock tanks.
• One is short—so we lifted it with cinder blocks.
• Another is super deep + long.
• Be sure your container has enough holes for water to drain.
• Fill it with raised bed soil – a mix between garden soil and potting mix.

@lolacabaya First time intentionally growing potatoes! 🥔✨ Because tossing them on the ground and getting a harvest doesn’t count…right? 😆 Or does it? Anywho—Not sure if this will be a win or a learning experience. Either way, I’m ALL in! Have you ever tried growing potatoes? PLEASE——Drop your best tips in the chat! ⬇️ 🧵 #thesmokingprophet #thingsiwishiknewyesterday #growinggroceries #ncgardens #hardlyfarmers #gardentok #ncgardening #burpeegardening #myburpeegarden #plantingpotatoes #zone8 ♬ original sound – Lola Cabaya

4️⃣ CONTAINERS AND POTS

Short on space? Want something you can move?

Containers might be the way to go.

• Grow herbs, veggies, fruits (even trees) in pots.
• Most container gardens do well with 6-8 hours of sun daily.
• Get containers that are big enough.
• Clean them with soapy water before planting.
• Use potting mix — it’s lighter + holds water better than garden soil in pots.

@lolacabaya 🌱 Growing Pole Beans in a Small Pot! 🤤 These are the prettiest veggies I’ve grown. ✨✨✨ I grew Trionfo Violetto and Blue Lake FM-1K Pole Beans in a 12-inch pot 🤯 AND they’re thriving! 🙌🏽 Bamboo sticks help them climb. 🌿 Turns out, beans can grow in 8-10 inch pots (at minimum). I thought their roots were deeper! But I guess not. 😆 #thesmokingprophet #hardlyfarmers #thingsiwishiknewyesterday #startingagarden #ContainerGardening #PoleBeans #GrowingVeggies #SmallSpaceGardening #UrbanGardening #BotanicalInterests #FallGardening #PlantLover ♬ original sound – Lola Cabaya

Once you know where to plant, there’s one more thing that can make or break your garden: space.

Plants need space above and below ground to thrive.

That includes enough room to spread, breathe, and grow strong roots.

Most plant labels tell you how much space is needed above ground—but let’s talk about the root space they need below.

HOW DEEP DO VEGETABLE ROOTS GROW?

Knowing how deep your veggies’ roots grow helps you pick the right container, raised bed, or garden spot.

That way you can give them more than enough room to thrive.

Here’s a quick guide to help ⬇️⬇️

SHALLOW ROOTS (6-10″)
Perfect for small pots or even window boxes:

• Green garlic, mustard greens, radishes, spinach (4–6” works)
• Lettuce (6-8″), beets, cucumbers, kale, swiss chard (needs 8″)
• Beans (8–10”), carrots (10”)

MEDIUM ROOTS (12-16″)
Great for medium sized containers or raised beds:

• Collards and peas need 12″ deep containers
• Eggplants and peppers need 12-16″ deep containers

DEEPER ROOTS (18-24″)
Grow best in large, deep containers or in the ground.

• Melons, okra, squash, turnips, tomatoes

KEY TAKEAWAY

Shallow roots = small containers.
Deep roots = large containers.

Growing fruit in containers

Yes, you can grow fruit in containers.

That includes berries, vines, and even trees!

Just know:

Fruit trees produce more when planted in the ground.

But you can still get a harvest in containers if you give them enough space.

Here’s a quick guide to help ⬇️⬇️

WHAT SIZE POT DO I NEED TO GROW FRUIT?

STRAWBERRIES

• Need at least an 8-inch-deep pot.
• Great for hanging baskets or wide shallow containers.

BLUEBERRIES

• Need about 2 feet in length, width, and depth.
• Blueberries like acidic soil (that means NO lime).
• Keep evenly moist–they’re super sensitive to drought.

FIGS

• Need at least a 10-gallon container.
• Grow best with good drainage and consistent moisture
• They’ll drop fruit in dry weather.

GRAPES

• At least a 15-gallon container.
• Train it on a trellis that you set up before planting or soon after.
• Requires regular diseases and pest treatments.

APPLE TREES

• Need at least a 20 to 25-gallon container.
• Look for dwarf or patio varieties.
• Red varieties may not color well in warmer areas.

PEACH TREES

• Need a 20 to 25-gallon container at minimum.
• Look for container-friendly or patio varieties.
• Not a low-maintenance option — they need extra care.

KEY TAKEAWAY

🪴 Dwarf and patio varieties grow better in pots.
🪴 When in doubt, go with a bigger pot.

How to protect garden pots in hot and cold weather

IN SUMMERTIME, WHEN IT’S HOT… 🔥🔥

✅ Black pots get hotter—because they soak up more heat.
✅ Cover the soil with mulch to retain moisture longer.
✅ Move your plants to a spot with afternoon shade or less sun exposure.

IN THE WINTER, WHEN IT’S COLD… 🥶🥶

✅ Move containers near (or inside) your house.
✅ Wrap them to insulate roots or push them close together.
✅ Cover the soil with mulch to keep the roots warm.

Something I didn’t know when I first started gardening…

There are recommended plant varieties for different regions.

I learned mine from the North Carolina Extension Gardener Handbook!

These plants might grow better where you live.
Maybe they’re adapted to the weather.
Maybe they can fight off local pests or disease better.

Either way — it helps to check what grows best in your area.

Your state’s extension office may have a list ready to go.

Want expert gardening, farming, or pest advice specific to your state?

Go online and find your state’s extension office.

Before you plant — a few common mistakes to avoid

Now that you know how much space your veggies and fruit need, let’s cover a few common mistakes to avoid before you plant…

✅ Overcrowding.
Plants need room to feel the air, stretch, and grow–above and below ground. Crowded plants get stressed and struggle more with pests and disease.

✅ Using containers that are too small.
Imagine wearing shoes three sizes too small. That’s what cramped roots feel like. Give them room to stretch!

✅ Poor drainage.
Use containers with drainage holes — skip the gravel at the bottom (can hinder water flow).

Personal story…

In North Carolina’s clay soil, I used to dig a hole, add garden soil, maybe a little clay breaker or pine bark fines, and plop my plant in — sounds good, right? Wrong. That created a little pool and some of my plants drowned. Lesson learned. Now, I mix native soil with garden soil, and plant on a small mound instead.

✅ Wrong soil type.

• Use potting mix for containers.
• Use garden soil for in-ground beds.
• Use raised bed mix for raised beds.

✅ Doing too much at once.
Gardening is exciting — and honestly, kinda magical. ✨
Watching something grow that you planted? It’s a thrill.

But don’t overwhelm yourself.
Start with one project. One win. One instant glow-up at a time.

I talk more about this on The Smoking Prophet’s Blog.

Ready to start?

Here’s your simple 5-Step plan!

Step 1: Pick your planting spot.
Step 2: Choose where to plant (ground, bed, container).
Step 3: Match plants to the pot size based on root depth.
Step 4: Use the right soil.
Step 5: Plant, water, and enjoy watching your garden grow!

Well, that’s all for now.

If you try any of these tips, I’d love to hear how it goes!

Comment below or tag me @LolaCabaya.

Happy planting! 🌱

And here’s a blog you might like:

👉 How to Start a Veggie Garden Fast—Even If You Never Planted a Thing – The Smoking Prophet