Raised Beds

Building up instead of digging in makes sense when the native soil is working against you, which in a lot of southwest Missouri means either clay that compacts or ground that sits wet after rain. Raised beds let you control drainage, soil composition, and warmth — they heat up faster in spring and extend the usable season on both ends. The main decision is material: metal lasts longest and holds heat well, cedar resists rot naturally, and pressure-treated lumber is worth understanding before committing. Size the depth to what you’re planting.