[Ma Lowe]

Having acquired a second good sized greenhouse my mind is in a whirl as to what I can grow and how I can grow it.
I am thinking that as the the 10'x8' will be on cultivated soil maybe I should be using the borders to plant the tomatoes cucumbers and peppers directly into the soil.
What are the disadvantages and advantages for doing this.

[snow white]

I plant directly in the soil.  Means less watering.  But I do rotate my crops in the poly tunnel.  I devided it into thirds and grow toms in one, peppers in one and lettuce, radishes, spring onions in the other.  That way I hope to reduce pests in the soil. I add lots of compost in the spring.  Has worked so far.  Not been at it long mind you!  Interested in what others say and do! 

[Lardman]

I never get anything for nothing  You can go right off people you know 

I have 1 word for you weeds... for a few years at least you've going to be weeding those beds regularly and by the time you clear the weeds you'll have built up a bunch of nasty things in the soil as it's going to be difficult to rotate the crops.

BUT it does give you a more stable environment than pots, it's cheaper than continually buying in compost and you get another 8" or so in plant height. You can also use the odd bits of border, in the past of had a reasonable crop of carrots from in front of the tomatoes, but other catch crops would work too.

I think it's 6 of 1 and ½ a dozen of the other  for what it's worth, I normally put the toms in sunken bottomless pots (flower buckets) and grow peppers direct in the soil. Im still wrestling with the chickweed and rose bay willow in there after 4 years though.

[Headgardener22]

I do a bit of both. Some tomatoes I plant direct in the ground, some I plant in pots of compost buried in the ground. The roots will find their way out for water but you avoid some of the pest build up. Using the borders also means you've got space for basil and marigolds between the plants to help them.