By Laura Anders Lee | Photography by Patrick Hood and Olivia Reed

The idea for box gardens took root in medieval times when farmers used basic fences to contain their crops. The concept sprouted up again in the 20th century when large farms were traded in for city life on small lots. Over the past two years, box gardens are flourishing once again, with shortages on grocery store shelves and more families at home looking for things to do.

“I think this pandemic has really been a time of self-care and outdoor hobbies,” says Natasha McCrary, owner of 1818 Farms in Mooresville, Alabama. “I know we’ve been cooking so much more at home.”

Though a professional farmer, McCrary says box gardens are a great way for novices to get started, even those with a brown thumb. Raised beds are convenient, easy to manage and don’t require a lot of space. 

“Raised bed gardens are just a fun project. A one-acre garden is a full-time job, but you can easily have a four- by eight-foot box garden on your patio,” says McCrary. 

Galvanized steel beds or wooden garden boxes can be purchased ready to go, or crafty families can build their own with a few simple supplies. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System recommends boxes that are 3 to 4 feet wide that are easy to maneuver around. 

McCrary says mid-April is an ideal time to start planting summer vegetables, like radishes, lettuces, squash, zucchini, tomatoes and lots of herbs. When the weather cools down in the fall, carrots, spinach, and Swiss chard can be planted. The crop variation will also yield a healthier soil.

There are many advantages to box gardens, especially in the South. Long summers and mild winters mean an abundance of quality produce. Due to Alabama’s clay soil, a raised box garden will actually drain better than an in-ground garden. In addition, the soil in a box garden warms up more quickly, allowing for faster seed germination and transplant growth. And because the beds are smaller than a traditional garden, a higher quality soil can be used, eliminating the need for harmful fertilizers. McCrary recommends using a homemade soil mix with equal parts peat moss, manure or other compost varieties and vermiculite.

Starting a box garden is a great way to start a healthier lifestyle. “Just being outdoors for a lot of people is therapeutic,” says McCrary. 

For children who don’t like to eat their veggies, a box garden can provide a fresh perspective. Creating a raised bed together, planting seeds, and watching the progress is fun. And when it comes time for dinner, they know exactly where their food came from.

“My daughter loves our cucumbers and cherry tomatoes, and we cook a lot with herbs and zucchini,” says McCrary. “If you garden with your children, they will become more excited about healthy food, and nothing is healthier than harvesting your own product.”