Growing In Beds Or Traditionally????

[nick the grief]

I'm an awkward sod like Rat. The lottie is traditional but I grow in beds at home ( but thats cos I've got gravel and it stops it getting into the beds)

[The Doctor]

When I started my lottie last year, I put in a load of effort and installed raised beds. I've almost finished the whole plot, but left a bit at one end this year for the spuds.

All the old boys told me it wasn't the way to do it but now there are about 7 others who have copied it, including the guy right next to me !!

It probably helps that our council provides trailor loads of wood chippings that can be used for the paths.

[Nicos]

Our lottie is traditional and raised beds, and we grow in containers at home- can I tick all the boxes??? Do I win the prize then???

[Snadger]

When I started my lottie last year, I put in a load of effort and installed raised beds. I've almost finished the whole plot, but left a bit at one end this year for the spuds.

All the old boys told me it wasn't the way to do it but now there are about 7 others who have copied it, including the guy right next to me !!

It probably helps that our council provides trailor loads of wood chippings that can be used for the paths.

Judging by your piccie I think I can guess which way you voted!!!

Very impressive Mr Who!

[pigletwillie]

Mmmm,

I do a bit of all of them. On our first plot, the fruit is in flat beds but everything else is in raised beds with the added flexibility of using 25l recycled plastic oil barrels c/w handles to grow anything and everything in.

Our second plot is all flat beds but the first tunnel has raised beds in and the new tunnel doesnt (yet) but will have by next spring as its easier on the back when working in there.

The third plot is in its first season and whilst traditional this year will be an ecletic mix of flat and raised beds next.

I also grow main crop spuds in the afore mentioned barrels and also recycled compost bags as I then get clean potatoes with no slug damage for store. Apricot trees are also in barrels so they can be moved into the tunnels during the spring to protect the blossom.

None of the beds are walked on but they are not strictly no dig beds, just permanent ones.

[nick the grief]

Mmmm,

I do a bit of all of them. On our first plot, the fruit is in flat beds but everything else is in raised beds with the added flexibility of using 25l recycled plastic oil barrels c/w handles to grow anything and everything in.

Our second plot is all flat beds but the first tunnel has raised beds in and the new tunnel doesnt (yet) but will have by next spring as its easier on the back when working in there.

The third plot is in its first season and whilst traditional this year will be an ecletic mix of flat and raised beds next.

I also grow main crop spuds in the afore mentioned barrels and also recycled compost bags as I then get clean potatoes with no slug damage for store. Apricot trees are also in barrels so they can be moved into the tunnels during the spring to protect the blossom.

None of the beds are walked on but they are not strictly no dig beds, just permanent ones.

SHall we put you down as "don't know"

[Alice]

Very, very, good Doctor. Can I ask what you used to make your hoops across the beds.

[ChrisB]

Just added my vote to the poll

On the flat for me. Was going to do raised beds but just wanted to get planting without any delay.

Can't say I've seen anybody on our allotments using the raised bed method, but the majority of plot holders are the old boys who woudn't entertain all these new fangled ideas

[wellie]

I decided raised beds were for me because the older, more wrinkly and grumpier I get, I like my vegetable garden to be accessible all year round, and thought I'd end up like my simply gorgeous neighbour otherwise.... With everything he has taught me over the last six years (yeah, right!), I am made constantly aware by him when it's 'chucked it down' for days and days and days "There's no good getting on the garden now, it's too wet - more harm than good"...and so commonsense prevailed. I can't afford the time NOT to cultivate or crop, which is why I've been picking Mangetout, Courgettes, Bored Beans, Climbing French Beans, Swiss Chard, true Spinach and (hopefully this weekend!) a handful of new potatoes, because I grow in Raised Beds and Containers.... whilst my neighbour chooses to grow 'traditionally'.


I am in no way trying to be smug. That's not my point. What I'm saying is 'build on what you learn' either in the traditional way, or the raised bed or container way of growing. Let it suit your lifestyle and the time you have available to tend your plot, adapt it, totally re-think it, and THEN you'll have it as you want it....

I know that I've found the right answer for me.

And I hope the rest of you do too!

[pigletwillie]

I certainly concur Wellie, our raised beds allow us to plant and pick with impunity even if its been very wet and the cracking drainage means that I am weeks ahead of the traditionalists on the site.

Its rubbing off as several plots are now "going beds" in a big way.

[Hazel at the Hill]

.... which is why I've been picking Mangetout, Courgettes, Bored Beans, Climbing French Beans, Swiss Chard, true Spinach and (hopefully this weekend!) a handful of new potatoes, because I grow in Raised Beds and Containers.... whilst my neighbour chooses to grow 'traditionally'.

Heehee! Ahead of you with the spuds, wellie! Although you do have the upper hand on all the other produce you have so far....

... What I'm saying is 'build on what you learn' either in the traditional way, or the raised bed or container way of growing. Let it suit your lifestyle and the time you have available to tend your plot, adapt it, totally re-think it, and THEN you'll have it as you want it....

I know that I've found the right answer for me.

And I hope the rest of you do too!

Spot on, Wellie - we've got trad flat beds at the mo as we (alright, I) was far too impatient to get going....BUT ALSO because we knew that as it is our first year we are likely to change our minds about things as we see what works and what doesn't...we'll evolve with time, probrably towards raised beds as they make logical sense.

[The Doctor]

Very, very, good Doctor. Can I ask what you used to make your hoops across the beds.

You sure can!

All of the white ones are from a cloche kit that both Aldi and Lidl have sold recently. IIRC, you get a total of fourteen poles and seven connectors to make seven hoops, about 5 metres of polythene with small holes in it, ties for the ends and pegs to hold them for a grand total of £2.99!!!

You can just about see some of the polythene on the right behind the rectangular fleece-covered box.

They sell them every few months and I got a few at the end of last season and the beginning of this so have around ten sets now!

Judging by your piccie I think I can guess which way you voted!!!

Very impressive Mr Who!

Yep, and cheers!

[Snadger]

Spot on, Wellie - we've got trad flat beds at the mo as we (alright, I) was far too impatient to get going....BUT ALSO because we knew that as it is our first year we are likely to change our minds about things as we see what works and what doesn't...we'll evolve with time, probrably towards raised beds as they make logical sense.

I agree with your philosophy Hazel. I decided I wanted raised beds but they are still evolving. The size has evolved to suit me personally, some of them aren't raised, as I haven't scounged the materials to do it yet, some of the beds are going to be 'terraced' ie boarded on one side only as I garden on a slope and my planned 'seating' area position has changed so that I get the most sun and the least wind in this area. An arbour and arch are planned which should give me good vertical growing space as well!

[muckdiva]

I grow in raised beds in the garden which OH constructed out of roofing joists for me. They are brilliant in every way except the sides are a dreadful haven for slugs. So, on the lottie I decided I would have beds, but as I didn't want to spend much cash, I just dumped compost etc on pads of straw bales which which formed the base of each bed. Saw the idea somewhere on t'internet and so far very good. The beds seem to retain moisture pretty well having been well soaked by the recent rains and I haven't seen much sign of slugs yet.

The other plot holders have fairly conventional looking allotments, very tidy and nice but like others have mentioned, they are probably retired. One guy did stop and comment on my raised beds, "...very interesting", or words to that effect. They'd better work or I will have egg on my face won't I!

[SuzieP]

Raised for me - very very heavy clay (reclaimed land rom the sea). Though some on my site are still struggling with traditional flat rows