Plot alignment

[HimIndoors]

Hi all,

I'm very new to this growing lark and just got half a plot (10m x 12.5m) before xmas. Now I have done some clearing its time for me to mark out my beds.

I've scribbled down a few different ideas and intended to start out this year with four main beds 1.2m x 4m. I've just been down to the lottie and marked out two plots at that size and they just dont look big enough so its back to the drawing board.

My latest design has plots going across my lottie rather than along the length which means they will be oriented East/West rather than the original North/South's I marked out today. I'm getting mixed reports on whats the best orientation so I wondered if I could have your thoughts on the matter??

[shirlthegirl43]

Hello and welcome to the vine HimIndoors. Sorry, I can't help with your query but I am sure there will be a grape with an answer along soon.

[TPeers]

Hi, the wisdom of ages (i.e. I read it in a book) is that beds should be North South for preference such that the sun rises on one side and sets on the other giving even light levels and more even growth. It is also supposed to limit the amount of shade cast by tall crops such as climbing beans on short crops.

That said, my beds are East West because it fits my garden better......

Your choice.

Being a boring imperialist - 4' by 12ish'? when your plot is 32' by 38' ish? The 4' sounds right but can't you just go longer? Without having seen the site and any problems it might have it would appear that you have the width to make four long beds 4' by 30' or there abouts and still have room after mid paths (3' - wide enough or a barrow: total width of 4 beds and 3 paths, 25') for a small shed a water butt or two and some compost bins.

Am I missing something?

Terry

[TPeers]

Oh, by the way - welcome to the 'vine!

Sorry!

[Snadger]

I sometimes think that gardeners get too bogged down on orientation of beds or rows!

There are a lot of factors to consider ie do we put the beds E/W or N/S or somewhere in between depending on which way your plot runs? Other factors are taking into consideration slopes, shaded areas, frost pockets etc etc etc.

I personally think that beds make better use of the land by being placed across your plot rather than lengthwise up and down the plot. Plots are usually rectangles roughly twice as long as they are wide and across just looks neater and the beds are shorter so you don't have so far to walk round them.
You can always alter the directions of your planting within the beds to both add interest and capatalise on the sun. I have some of my beds planted diagonally just for decorative purposes and this works well.

The Potager is a decorative form of beds with flowers as well as veg and I have added a central herb wheel with a geometric pattern of beds around it to good effect.

In essence I would say put your 4 foot wide beds where they will be easiest to maintain (no longer than 12 foot if poss) and plant the plants within to suit whichever direction you feel will give best growth!

[HimIndoors]

Many thanks for your replies and welcomes,

I picked 12' basically because my half plot is dissected by an enormous bean pole construction made of scaffolding boards and 2'' square 'poles' so I picked the open ground to get started figuring I could utilise the othe space as I manage to disassemble the monstrosity.

I'm quite enjoying planning what Im going to grow and what my beds should look like as it's about the only thing I can manage at the moment with the weather been so bad the sites too clarty to dig!!

Will take all your advice on board and come up with yet another plan tonight

[terrier]

Hello HimIndoors, welcome to the vine. Try asking some other allotmenters on your site, if they've been there for some years, they will probably give lots of advice (whether you want it or not). See what they've done with their plots and how well their crops are growing.

[Cuke]

I've just been sat trying to work out the exact same thing...
I understand the reasons for North/south facing beds but I've decided that it surely can't make *that* much difference and it'll fit in with my plans for the plot much better to do est/west.

So, I'm going to have 10 4'x13' beds (two rows of five beds) with 3' paths around them leaving me some room at one side for all the other 'stuff' like compost, waters buts, coldframe and seating/working area...

At least thats the plan....

[Two_Sheds]

this is a useful site for planning your plot:
How to design an allotment or vegetable garden - page 2