pots v border????

At the moment I grow everything in pots in my greenhouse.
Would there be any advantage in changing to soil borders?
Would the tomatoes and cucumbers be better growing in the ground? Or would it be more hassle in the long run? I'm thinking about having to change the border soil. Could be a pain????
Any opinions would be very welcome.

Many thanks. GF.

 

I used to grow in pots. Changed to border soil.

I change my border soil each year now. I put in half home-made-compost and half-well-rotted-manure. Its not as arduous as moving proper clay soil! and after being in the greenhouse the "border soil" goes onto the veg patch (where the spuds were, thus keeping Tomato and Potato bugs together)

When I amde the greenhouse border I lowered it a bit, compared to previously. So I have about 6" more height-to-eaves, plus the pots themselves were probably 9" or so, so I've gained about 12" - equivalent to an additional truss on the Tomatoes.

Biggest benefit is that I only water three times a week - twice a week in mid-Summer, instead of twice a day ...

I don't bother to replace the soil from the central path.

 

I'd go Kristen's route.
I grow in big pots in my greenhouse because it has a concrete floor. But in our small polytunnel I grow in the ground and replace the top few inches of soil with compost every year.
The toms, cucs, peppers etc in the polytunnel always produce far better crops than those grown in pots.

 

Whilst I don't grow veg, I have a lot of flowering plants in pots. However I believe that plants in general are happier in a border. However hard you try plants in pots are always either over or under watered - I don't think they often get exactly the right amount.

 

Thanks for the replies everyone.
I agree Peter, although I had a good crop of tomatoes this year, I seem to be for ever watering! Pots need so much water in the summer. Also, like you say, I'm sure they're always under or over watered!
I think I'll change one of my borders over to soil ready for next year, and see the difference between the two. I can always alter the other at a later date.
The thing that was putting me off was having to change the soil each year, but putting it on the potato bed sounds like a good solution to that one Kristen.

Thanks again for the advice. GF.

 

"I'm sure they're always under or over watered!"

Nah, you exagerate. There is a moment in between the two when they have perfect moistness :D

 

That's like my old clock - right twice a day. :D

 

Oooh! To be perfect twice a day. How nice that would be!!!!