Veggie patch from scratch

[Small pumpkin]

I'm off in my little fantasy world.............again
If you had the opportunity of a completely blank canvas. How would you lay out your veggie patch?

[JanieB]

That’s exactly what I have. I have had the garden completely cleared apart from 4 trees. Now have my planning head on.

[Lumpy]

3ft high raised beds all around the outside edges.
A few trees scattered willy (I'm I allowed to say that?) nilly in the middle.
A watering system that at the turn of a tap and twiddle with a dial kept everything watered to its needs.

Other than that it would end up as chaotic as the one I have now.

[veggiechicken]

Randomly

If I was a serious gardener and wanted to grow lots of produce I'd probably lay it out like Charles Dowding's plot - photo at https://www.charlesdowding.co.uk/no-...ng/why-no-dig/
Can't do straight lines, myself, but it does make sense if you have an open space to start afresh.

[chillithyme]

One main central grass path, with long open beds either side,split up with scaffolding planks. Easily changeable layout by moving planks.In the autumn can lift the planks and chuck on a time of horse muck, and cover the whole plot. Once I get rid of all the bindweed that is

In an ideal world I'd have as much homemade compost available as Charles dowding and go for his no dig veg plot, I'd also have a underground irrigation system to water the whole plot,one can dream

[Jimny14]

In an ideal world my plot would have a large section facing south, and high brick walls on two sides to train fruit up, they would also stop all the wind except a very light gentle cooling breeze when it was hot. Also the area wouldn't be prone to frost and the ground would be made up of very rich loamy soil for the majority and basically neutral pH, except one area which is acidic and another area which is rather more sandy for a carrot and other roots bed.
Also the plot would have a well fed from fresh spring water that never dries out and also doesn't flood.

[Cadalot]

I basically had the blank canvas with my new plot but have decided to more or less follow the format of the first plot, the shed is now in and I'm adding a rear extension as well as the side extension and this how far I got with it this weekend. I may extend the cheeks down, or it will have legs added after I have laid some concrete slabs to the rear.



I've already extended the watering system and can now connect to the standpipe at either or both ends of the site. So looking at the plan below the shed has moved down and to the left and the side extension has become a rear extension. The Greenhouse is still going to be erected to the right of the shed but they will come down as well, and I may have another extension structure along the back wall to grow even more tomatoes under cover on the allotment as not every year is as blight free as this one has been.



I'm thinking of modifying the layout just a little and still not sure about raspberries or flowers at the far left of the diagram which is opposite the entrance gates

[Bren In Pots]

I don't think I'd set know were to start, my veg plot evolved from a couple of pots one with a tom the other some runner beans. We removed shrubs then filled in a pond to make beds I needed a bit more space so some of the lawn went next, after a bit of juggling I'd got space for a GH. But to do it all at once I'd be lost.

[Cadalot]

Here is how my first plot evolved



The path was very wide and it was only when I was informed that the path was infact supposed to be narrower by my neighbour that I realised that I had more to play with. I also thought logic would dictate that the boundary between plots 1 & 1A would be square and perpendicular, well that was until the plot neighbour put in a board along what was the boundary. Bed 6 then became the home to the greenhouse.

[noviceveggrower]

I would love to have a blank canvass. Would have two sections. Section one would have wood chip path up the middle and other paths leading off it. On the right side I would have my fruit section. Starting off with strawberries, raspberries, a blackberry cane and then have fruit bushes like gooseberries and currant bushes.

My section on my left would be my veg section. A series of beds for all my veg on a rota system.

At the top of the plot would be my greenhouse, shed and seating area.

On my second main part I would have my fruit trees. Apart from the usual I would have quinces and medlar trees.

[Jay-ell]

... Once I get rid of all the bindweed that is

I like the fact that your ideal fantasy plot still has bindweed in it

Mine, hopefully the bindweed won't be growing in from your plot.

I'd like a forest garden bit - fruit trees, shrubs, perennial veg.

The annual veg plot would have deep raid beds high enough to sit on with thick boards and ledges on the top, 3-4 foot wide & 12-16 foot long (about 20 of them) with paths 3 foot wide.

There would also be a stable next door who would happily tip the paddock pickings into the manure bin and I'd probably have a little digger to turn the never ending piles of manure regularly.

[Small pumpkin]

Randomly

All I have to say to you is..............

But to do it all at once I'd be lost.

Couldn't agree more.


Thanks everyone all you fantasy veggie patches have been great thanks for sharing.
But if you don't mind me saying they've all been a little....................... On the safe side !
This is a fantasy people lets think outside the box .
For argument sake let's say you have 1/4 acre blank canvas. When I say blank, not even a boundary fence / hedge............nothing !

Has anyone spotted I'm bored?

[Small pumpkin]

Jay-ell ! That's the fantasy I'm after...........nice one sir

[veggiechicken]

This fantasy patch - is it for playing or for productivity? Market garden type fantasy or Lost World where you can indulge yourself?

I'd have fruit trees and bushes, secluded, sheltered sunny corners to sit and think, meandering paths, wild flowers, herbs, paths lined with scented and bee friendly plants, veg beds interspersed with flowers, enough paths that you don't have to walk on the same one twice in a day.........Sounds a bit familiar!! Think I know a garden like that - still work in progress.

[Small pumpkin]

Probably more market garden but still fun with an experimental patch.