Paths between raised beds quandry

[andy armitage]

Hi all,
We have just taken over our allotment and are busy clearing all the weeds (it's heavilly infested) We plan to have raised beds with paths but are wondering how to go about this.
Do we clear away all the weeds rake everything over then make the beds leaving weed free paths or do we just dig the beds and put weedkiller on all the paths? At the moment we have dug an area enough to put 4 beds in but it is really arduous and I thought if we left the paths there wouldn't be as much work involved but they would be totally full of weeds so can't be left as they are. The other idea we have is to put down a weedproof membrane then cover it with bark chippings but this may be too expensive. So to sum up ideas please on the easiest and cheapest weed free paths many thanks in advance

[shirlthegirl43]

From what I have read, bark chippings seem to be a very popular choice for paths. I don't have a lottie, I grow in my garden so can't really advise. I am going for woodchip paths - we cut down a huge privet 'hedge' and when we get the chance to put it through the shredder and plan out the paths, that is what will happen to it!!

[andy armitage]

Hi Shirl we are just a bit worried that bark chippings will cost a fortune as we will need a fair bit.

[shirlthegirl43]

What do the other lottie users have? I think I have read on here that some councils supply chippings at certain times of the year, perhaps other allotment holders could advise if a similar scheme exists in your area.

[Snadger]

Againnst a lot of recommendations on the vine, I have 2 foot strips of carpet on my paths! I have beige carpets which look like cement from a distance and green carpets which blend in well. I am at present on the lookout for a red carpet up the centre of my two allotments but temporarily am stuck with blue!

We have been promised some woodchippings from the council, once they start there winter pruning! As soon as these become available for free I will lift the carpets and and use these instead...until then the carpets stay!

My last allotment had wood chippings for paths with old fertiliser bags spread out under them and they looked swell and worked fine at keeping down weeds.

If you don't want to use old carpets, or are not allowed to because of the nasties they supposedly put into the ground as they decompose, you could cover the paths with something like old fertiliser bags, bin bags, lino,oilcloth,plastic sheeting(doesn't matter if its clear as it will be buried).
Put a layer of sand over the top to keep it down and puncture holes in it with a garden fork to allow water to dissipate. If you do happen to get the chance of some woodchippings you can then just add them to what you already have.
Grass is an option but requires regular cutting. Bare soil is ok because once it gets compacted weeds struggle to survive and and are easily hoed out.

Don't use weedkiller.....there's too many alternatives and weedkiller should only be used when all other avenues have been exhausted!

PS If you can get bales of straw cheaply (I usually pay between 50p and £1 per bale) they make a wonderful mulch for the beds and can be used on the paths as well!

[JennieAtkinson]

I wouldn't recommend bark if you are on a windy site. I tried it in the garden here and most of it has just blown away.

[andy armitage]

Oh, it is a very windy site!

[Flummery]

Even after you'd threatened it with a kitchen knife Jennie?

[Snadger]

There's quite a differnce between bark chippings and the fresh wood chippings that we get! Ours is an exposed site but the 'green' woodchippings we get never budge!

[Hazel at the Hill]

You can always use slabs, Andy - keep your eye out on freecycle.

[Nicos]

We just let the grass and weeds grow between the raised beds and just kept cutting it short- all the weeds finally gave up!
We either strim or petrol mow it every 2 weeks in the spring to autumn and it's fine.

And also...Welcome to the Vine Andy!

What have you got planned to do/grow on your lottie? It's an exciting time for you!!

[andy armitage]

Hi Nicos it's a really exciting time for us although we have no idea what the heck we are doing, bu tthat's part of the fun we are so determined to grow as much fresh veg as we can as we love cooking and using good ingredients. We just need to try and grow what we want to eat but easy and pest free varieties if that's possible, we want to grow fresh salad leaves parsnips strawberries and whatever else we can think of.

[terrier]

I've just left the paths between the beds undug. Walking on them discourages the weeds and grass. Anything that is hardy enough to come through just gets pulled out. Just line the paths with heavy corrugated cardboard, once it gets wet it won't blow away and will just rot down into the path.

[JennieAtkinson]

In the last "big" wind here even my gravel got blown from the seating area around the greenhouse down into the field!

I bought a big petrol strimmer this year and I am going to have a go at keeping my grass paths well trimmed. I've edged them with some old bricks I managed to get hold of so hopefully won't be strimming the cabbages and onions!

Forgot to say Andy - welcome!

[andy armitage]

Thanks for the welcome Jennie, it sounds like you have a very windy spot there, we have been told by the chap who owns the land it can get very windy, so we are thinking of leaving the paths mud and just compacting them down walking on them. Linda has worked out we could get 12 raised beds on here so we are trying to plan what to put in them.