making a raised bed

[suem]

Hi
I would like to make some raised beds on my new allotment. Does any one have any any advise on how I may achieve this in an economical manner?
I live in West Cheshire if there is, for example, a supplier of second hand wood that anyone can advise me of.
Cheers, Suem

[dinah gale]

Deep beds

I am very impressed by the photos of Supersprouts raised beds. I, too, as a new allotment holder, am trying to make deep beds. Have already splashed on 10' boards with 4' end-boards intending to make 20' beds ( the width of my allotment) because I shall be gardening on quite a slope. I realise that 20' beds might be a darned nuisance to walk around - was thinking of simplifying the task of making and maintaining paths however the straw looks a pretty efficient cover.

I bought 6 x 1 edging boards with 2 x 1 stakes to join them to and hold them in the ground. I bought my stakes too short - have been advised that they ought to be at least 12" and preferably 18". A fellow allotmenteer helped me make the first one which made me realise that it's actually heavy work hefting the timber about and that a cordless drill is an essential bit of kit. ( I don't have one).

I'll hold my fire now and store the timber for a bit until I see the best way to go. However, because I shall be working on my own I know that I'm likely to get disheartened if the allotment isn't organised to make things as easy as possible given that I've topped 60 and am not quite as strong as I was 20 years ago.

I used deep beds in my last garden and they certainly make life simpler once they are made.

I need advice on making hoops for covering with mesh - guess this will have to go on a new thread.

[bramble]

Welcome to the vine Dinah. Can't give you any advice about making raised beds as i don't do them but no doubt there will be plenty of advice coming your way.
Know what you mean about not being as strong and able as in younger years as i to have toped 60, but i'm not about to let a little thing like age stop me from doing what i love best, and thats growing my own.
Good luck with your allottment.
Gabrielle.

[dinah gale]

Thank you bramble (Gabrielle) As a new user I'm not sure about the etiquette around names - signed name or user name in replies?

I reckon by making things as labour saving as possible I'll still be going in 20 years time - hope you will too!

I'm intending to put some small fruit trees on the plot as well as plenty of flowers to attract the right sort of insects - and for their pleasure factor-. I've always gardened as organically as possible so shall continue on this road.

It's a joy to be up there working. It'll probably be a different proposition in winter working in the teeth of a gale and in rain and sleet though. It's on high ground and the wind blows right across it.

Am trying to work out what quantities to sow and plant in the future. The plot is enormous and I shan't need half of what I'll be tempted to grow, I'm sure. I only wanted half a plot but when my name came up it was Hobson's choice - I either took what was available or my name went to the bottom of the list again.

I love supersprout's advice about not digging - I've got a load of manure and like the idea of spreading and covering it instead of trenching. The soil is very light and free-draining though, supersprout, so will this work equally well?

[Wigglyworm]

Hi all
I rang a local scaffolding company from the Yellow Pages, they delivered six 14 foot long by 12'' high boards for £10 plus £10 delivery - bargain!! Just need to put them together now... Also I order spent mushroom compost from a local supplier, £2 per bag delivered and great for chucking in the raised beds.

Hope that helps
Wigglyworm

[bramble]

hi dinag, I think super sprouts way of gardening will suit you just fine especially as you already have a load of manure. You were right to take the full plot as i'm sure when you get time to read some of the postings here you will end up trying lots of different fruit and veg you never even thought about. Better to have too much space than too little.
Like you, i intend to keep on gardening until i am physically not able and can't see myself sitting at home knitting for a long time to come.

[supersprout]

Love reading about everyone's different approaches ... like dinah I want the plot to be as easy as possible to maintain, but a by-product with all that mulch is that things are growing well too even in this dry weather. I want to be able to bimble about and grow things when I am an old lady too
Mulch seems to bring soil into balance - lightens clay soil, makes light soil less likely to dry out. My soil is light (silty) and no-dig works really well
A good overview at http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/...steading/60401
Our local council have just delivered wood chippings FREE - worth asking yours? These are great for paths, even better than straw (put newspaper thickly under the straw as weed suppressant).
Bramble is right, if you have spare room, plant squash through the black plastic, they will take up all the room you have

Ahem, I also knit - in winter lol

[zebedee]

Another idea is old pallets. You will very often find them heaped up around transport depots. Quite a few are deposit charged, but the majority end up being burned. If you don't mind a) carting them home (or to plot) and b) taking them apart, they do make pretty good fencing, raised bed edging, compost bins etc. I've even made chairs out of 'em! Handy for tea break.

[headburro]

Hi Suem - I've just typed a reply to another Grapervinter (is that correct term, I wonder?) asking the same question here: http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ead.php?t=2319

[Stroppy scotte]

We are also thinking of raised beds and gather " Jewsons " are happy to give away pallets rather than pay for disposal. Don't know yet whether that is just a local thing or a national trend. Let me know how you get on and whether raised or sunk beds are better. Need all the advice we can get.
Liz