Growing In Beds Or Traditionally????

[Snadger]

As far as I know there are two main ways of growing veggies either in beds or traditionally in rows.

Are beds gradually taking over from traditional methods of growing in rows?

I have been growing using a bed system for about 20 years. The beds have evlolved from raised beds 5 foot wide to raised beds without sides, four foot wide, heavily mulched. From what I can tell from the feed back on this forum beds seem to be the predominent method of cultivation.

My allotment site has 40 plots though and I am the only one growing in beds! Beds are percieved as being for 'lazy gardeners' around here!

Is it, I wonder, that more 'modern' bed growers use forums or is there a deffinate trend towards them?

Be interested to hear from traditional growers and bed growers extolling the virtues of each system?

PS Sorry Alice, if I haven't mentioned container growing which also seems to be on the up and up!

PPS If I new how to set up a poll I would try and ascertain percentages using each method (Any chance, LJ?)

[Flummery]

I use beds (in my garden) and was also the only bed grower on our previous allotment site. The old blokes (it was predominantly old blokes) thought I was mad. Maybe I am but not for that reason!

[Vegmonkey]

I had this exact same dilemma recently and went for beds. With plenty of sand and rubble at the bottom, the drainage is good, plus getting to them is easier, and they look much much nicer. Have a look at my blog...i took a horrid decked area and made it pretty.

It wouldn't have looked half as nice if i'd just planted in the ground, and those pesky cats would have deposited all over the lot!

[Snadger]

Thanks for the poll LJ......the poll, not the peastick...... ouch,ouch,ouch!!!

[sewer rat]

Snadger
Although I voted for traditionally on the flat, this is how I grow them for my business. In my garden however, I have four raised beds. My tunnel will have a raised area in it eventually.

[Sue]

Snadger
I was the only one on the allotment site with raised beds but now it is filling up with new people I see more are being made.
I've got a bad back so they're ideal for being able to sit on the path and weed them, better for covering against pests and better for fleece protection and growing stuff in winter.
I have got some stuff "in the ground" flowers, fruits and fruit trees and am growing cabbages in the ground too but everything else it's raised beds.
Sue

[Earthbabe]

More and more people on our site are using beds and it does make it "easier" in some ways. I find it helps plan the rotation etc.

I still have some containers at home though and have a container "seedbed" system using plastic crates from a greengrocer on the high street.

[libbyloulou]

In my garden, i have 7 nearly 8 beds, raised,some are on concrete, eight inch board, on trial.
But my spuds are in the ground, i think you lose a bit of space, but make up it in other ways when using raised beds. I also use containers and bags for growing spuds and other root crops, i think this is the way forward ?

[Alice]

I'm using raised beds Snadger and my containers. Raised beds are really just giant containers. Much easier than digging in the dirt and gives much more control over everything. For lazy - read smart.

[terrier]

I have been growing using a bed system for about 20 years. The beds have evlolved from raised beds 5 foot wide to raised beds without sides, four foot wide, heavily mulched. From what I can tell from the feed back on this forum beds seem to be the predominent method of cultivation.

If the raised beds have no sides, how do they keep their shape. Surely continual rain would level them off eventually or have I misunderstood what you mean?

[Snadger]

If the raised beds have no sides, how do they keep their shape. Surely continual rain would level them off eventually or have I misunderstood what you mean?

If you walk on the paths and not the beds the bed soil is less compacted and hence higher than the paths. The annual mulch on the beds also adds to the depth of soil. Theoretically you also have a bigger surface area for growing than the same size edged bed, as there is a convex curve across the beds!

[Protea]

I can't really answer your poll Snadger as i do all 3! my lottie is i suppose technically 'on the flat' although its more of a long bed construction. I did play about with individual flad beds last year, but the weeds in the pathways were a pain, so i've gone for 2 very long beds either side of a central path this year. I also grow veggies in containers at home! i like to mix and match - it keeps life interesting!

The 2 guys next to me at the lottie really go in for the traditional flat method - and to be fair to them it seems to really work, however, they are both retired i think, and have a whole lot more time than me to keep the weeds down - i aspire to have such an imaculate plot one day!

[Matt.]

I voted for the flat because thats all I've been able to do this year. However the description of Snager's plot sounds very much like mine with walk ways on the soil between the rows. Is this not how all traditional methods are worked? I'll try not to walk on the rows / beds to compact the soil but still consider this traditional. So I suppose the question I have is when does a row become a bed?

[Digger-07]

Although I grow on the flat I only use short rows and have the plot set out into 4 areas. It means that I don't have to walk all the way across each row but only accross the ends of the rows to hoe. When it comes to clearing the ground the whole area gets dug over in one go.

[Snadger]

I voted for the flat because thats all I've been able to do this year. However the description of Snager's plot sounds very much like mine with walk ways on the soil between the rows. Is this not how all traditional methods are worked? I'll try not to walk on the rows / beds to compact the soil but still consider this traditional. So I suppose the question I have is when does a row become a bed?

The answer to your question is when the paths become a permanent fixture I suppose!
My planting 'rows' are usually across the four foot width as well!