For plants that I don't have access to, I prefer soil (my own substrate, manure, granular fertilizer, perlite, and HYDROGEL). The plant can take water from lower areas with its roots when necessary and when it's old enough. Of course, you need to till the original soil to make it more aerated. For the plants I have access to, I choose pots. Mainly for easier handling of the plants, and secondly, I don't have the option to plant them in the ground. Every method has its pros and cons. It depends on what options and requirements you have.

i use both but got a lot nicer result in soil in the ground

Hi goodsmoke. I think it depends to your outdoor conditions, i do both. Some plants i dig in the ground, other palnts i put in Airpots. My automaticplants i always put in smartpots( rootpouch). If you put them in pots you can move them and thats great, even the automatics like it a little more protected in the beginning. If it is very hot in your area the best is to dig a biig hole put the plant in the ground to protect the roots. or if you do guerrilla gardening. the plant gets water and nutirients from the ground. And you dont have to visit it every day to water... so you got to look how your conditions are. and what works the best for you....here in northern europe its in my opinion the best to get a biiig smartpot ( rootpuch) and plant the girl inside, so you can move them if conditions are to bad, ( if to much rain is coming in autumn... or if you want to send them faster in flower and take them after 12 hours outside into a dark garage . ( light deprivation mehtod) for mor answers just write an pm to me