Paths between beds

[Effigy]

On my new allotment I want to put in 12 raised beds.

What should I do about the paths in between?

Ideally I would like to put down a weed suppresion membrane and cover it with bark chippings, but I can't find anywhere to buy the chippings in bulk. Buying them at B&Q prices will cost a couple of hundred pounds!

I am thinking that my last resort will be to lay turf, but I really dont want to do this if I can help it, as it will be another weekly task in mowing it

Any other ideas for cheap paths?

[lainey lou]

Check out your local recycling centre, they may do wood chippings, our does for £1 a bag.
Also might be worth posting on freecycle.

[brooklynodog]

We have a couple of wood mills locally, and they do help yourself chippings at a good price

[lottie dolly]

our allotments get them delivered FREE,from the council,it's in one big heap,and help your self,in the autumn we get leaves as well to bag up for leaf mould,ask the person in charge of things if your local council do/or would be willing to make a drop,as they are only able to do so when they done a job,worth a try for free,also are there any tree surgeons in your area,some charge and some just glad to get rid instead of paying at land fill.

[Two_Sheds]

We chatted up a local grounds firm, who are more than happy to dump their woodchips and grass cuttings on our site ... it saves them a trip to the dump. If you don't ask, you don't get!

[Mrs Be]

Lots of good ideas here. I really need to sort out the paths between my beds. Lottie Dottie, amazed, and envious, that your council provides a big heap of them. Lucky you!

[lottie dolly]

Lots of good ideas here. I really need to sort out the paths between my beds. Lottie Dottie, amazed, and envious, that your council provides a big heap of them. Lucky you!

yes we are very lucky,i thought most councils did it,to recycle the waste,and no doubt i am dottie at times also ,i myself have had my words come out as dottie instead of dolly{as in dolly bird}the more you laugh,the longer you live.

[Gwyndy]

Check out your local tree surgeons - look in Yellow Pages. We have a local company that "sells" all its chipped waste and donates the proceeds to our local hospice.

Our Council also arranges for another company to deliver loads of chipped waste to our allotment site from time to time. It's too fresh to use for mulching but ideal for paths.

[Fred Perry]

Use green manure, Clover or grass type, rough cut and put in compost. Soft, Green and usable in lotty, also looks good.
All the best to all,
Fred Perry xxxx

[chuffa]

In the meantime Frank. put down thick cardboard first to even the surface then the fabric. At least it will stop the weeds until you have sourced the wood chippings.

[Paulottie]

Good levelling advice Chuffa. Always want good ways of getting rid of cardboard. I guess you have to wait until cardboard is wet as it might be a bit slippery at first.

I save all the oak chippings from the planer. I'm sure there must be other joiners out there happy to get rid of a few bags of hardwood shavings.