Raised Beds?

[broadway]

Hi Folks

Another q regards my new allotment. Still hacking away but my plan is the raised bed route for next year. Probably a stupid q but how many, how many RB's do you folks have?

[Dynamite]

I’ve got four. Check them out in my gallery. Old pics but not that old. I like them tall too.

Kind Regards.............Rob

[Jay-ell]

Lots. Others have none. Before spending a lot of time, effort and money building structures you might want to try using “big beds” for a while. Some people don’t like beds, others do.

It also lets you work out where the sun and shade is and what direction the wind comes from at different times of the year before building structures.

[broadway]

I’ve got four. Check them out in my gallery. Old pics but not that old. I like them tall too.

Kind Regards.............Rob

I like the use of your space with the triangular bed

[broadway]

Lots. Others have none. Before spending a lot of time, effort and money building structures you might want to try using “big beds” for a while. Some people don’t like beds, others do.

It also lets you work out where the sun and shade is and what direction the wind comes from at different times of the year before building structures.

Thanks Jay

I have a number of linkabord beds at the house in London (from memory I thing I had 4 2mx1m beds), my wife will be picking these up at the weekend so I have something to start with

I'm going to draft it out on graph paper first so I have a rough idea. I'm planning on at least 2 - 3 perennial beds (strawberries, rhubarb, and maybe asparagus) then see what that leaves me

[Jimny14]

I think a plan first is a good idea. Work out what you want to grow, then a rotation system, then I'd look at building one bed for each rotation, enough for your perennials and I'd personally keep space for an extra when you inevitably decide you want to try something new.

[burnie]

I have 3 and if I had room I'd have more, such a great way to grow, no digging as you don't trample the soil and the edges are a nice seat/work bench/saw horse and picnic table all in one(I also have some pictures on my page).

[ESBkevin]

There are positives and negatives to Raised Beds. They define structure and look neat, you can have deep root veg that come out cleanly and straight (if you fill the beds with soft earth and compost). You can make permanent hoops or frames for netting/covers.
There are of course a couple off down sides. There is no flexibility on planting, if you have not quite enough room to space 4 rows you only get three across. Wooden sides create a habitat for slugs and snails. You need minimum width paths for the wheelbarrow and navigating a heaped wheelbarrow back to the compost bin could be a feat.
For my part I have some RB covering about 1/4 of the plot, those made of untreated 4x5" timbers are now looking like they need replacement after 5 years. Treated lumber is more resiliant, but what do you want in your vegitable garden? Half my plot is along the lines of the Charles Dowding no dig beds mounded up on flat earth.
I Intend to install some more taller raised beds on one half of the plot to reduce our bending in old age. The other half will remain flat open space apart from the hoops or frames on growing areas.
The choice is yours.

[Snadger]

There are positives and negatives to Raised Beds. They define structure and look neat, you can have deep root veg that come out cleanly and straight (if you fill the beds with soft earth and compost). You can make permanent hoops or frames for netting/covers.
There are of course a couple off down sides. There is no flexibility on planting, if you have not quite enough room to space 4 rows you only get three across. Wooden sides create a habitat for slugs and snails. You need minimum width paths for the wheelbarrow and navigating a heaped wheelbarrow back to the compost bin could be a feat.
For my part I have some RB covering about 1/4 of the plot, those made of untreated 4x5" timbers are now looking like they need replacement after 5 years. Treated lumber is more resiliant, but what do you want in your vegitable garden? Half my plot is along the lines of the Charles Dowding no dig beds mounded up on flat earth.
I Intend to install some more taller raised beds on one half of the plot to reduce our bending in old age. The other half will remain flat open space apart from the hoops or frames on growing areas.
The choice is yours.

I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments expressed above.

I also have raised beds covering about 1/8th of my plot. Their are twelve which were already on the plot when I got it. The rest of the plot is cultivated traditionally. I must admit I am falling out of love with the raised bed phenomena which appears to newcomers to be the only way ahead. I have advocated and used them for years but now I am not so sure, and when the boards rot on my raised beds I don't think I will replace them.
The main thing that is in there favour for me though is that they can be covered with glass and quickly transformed into cold frames for early and late season use.

[SarrissUK]

I don't have any raised beds in use. I have a number of pallet frames but I don't use them.

On my new plot, which was the easiest to convert into beds have just two big beds at the moment - one bed is literally 75 foot long, with loads of growing space. No paths - just one long path alongside the whole length. Then I have one large bed in the middle of the plot, about 40 foot long, and behind that is the polytunnel. I am planning to fit in another two littler beds before and behind the composters.

I do no dig and paths aren't so necessary, as you can walk on the beds without any worries.

[bramble]

Also, if you are planning on going the raised bed route you have to find compost, soil, manure to fill it.

[burnie]

You don't have to fill a raised bed in one go unless it's on concrete, you can build it up each year, which is what I am doing.