The downsides of square foot gardening include the following: ● Startup cost: They cost a lot upfront. You have to buy or build a garden bed and purchase soil components.  ● Large plants: The method isn't the best for plants like zucchini and large potatoes that require a lot of space. ● Labor: It takes work to build the raised garden bed. ● Peat Moss: Harvesting peat moss hurts the environment. It leaves a carbon footprint and damages the habitats of birds, insects, reptiles, and small mammals. Consider using coconut coir instead.