Optimum bed size?

[cotton54321]

Now I am near to clearing the first half of the weeds on the allotment, I just wondered what bed sizes that work well? With so much space I'm finding it quite hard to visualise!
We only want veggies at the allotment as we are having all the fruit at home. Any suggestions welcome....

Mel

[Earthbabe]

Well done Mel. I bet you feel quite proud of your achievements. There are some guidelines but ultimately you should be able to reach the centre from either side to prevent trampling the earth/plants. I'll have a look in my books and come back to you.

keep up the good work.

[Mrs Dobby]

Hi Mel, congrats on getting half cleared, big kudos to you and I'd bet a huge sense of acchievement!

We've gone for beds at 8' wide, with a path (1/2 size pavers or wood) laid down the center of each bed so that we can comfortably reach all areas of the beds without stretching too much (only have to reach 2' in from either each side)

That means we've 3 beds to our plot, with 4 main paths and 3 inner paths to allow us easy access, tho we havent finished laying the central bed paths as yet (hopefully this weekend, if weather holds up!)

This is what works for us, but go with what you feel will be manageable! One reason we've laid our plot our this way is to reduce the amount of diggind we need to do, as we wont be walking on the growing areas of the beds so they wont get compacted, making it easier to dig over!

Hope this helps!

[nick the grief]

I prefer a king sized

The recommended maximum id usually 4' - you can reach further but not when you've got wet or Icy brussels in front of you so I would go for that. If you make them bigger you'll end up walking on them & that defeats the purpose.

Also if you have a long run of bed break it every 12ft. Two reasons

1) It's a conventient length for timber (most places stock it in 12 ft lenght or there abouts)

2) It stops you creating a short cut across the bed which could be dangerous not only to the crop that you may kick or trip on but to you if you are carrying tools & fall!

[Snadger]

It depends on how tall you are! I tried 5 foot beds at my last garden because I am reasonably tall...... they were too wide. I have 4 foot beds at my present lottie and can just-a-say reach to the middle. I think the next allotment I get (hopefully soon) I will go for 3'-6" beds which should be easy to reach across.

The orientation is important because you want to be sowing short rows across the bed so I would imagine the beds should run roughly South/North so that the sun rises and sets over them giving each plant equal light.

I know this isn't always practical though!

[sewer rat]

My beds are 8' x 4' - I'd love to claim that this was by design but actually had more to do with the free timber (roofing joists) that came my way. Having said that I wouldn't go any widerthan 4' as I'm 6'2" and can just reach the middle of my beds comfortably

[JennieAtkinson]

I've got a 5 foot wide bed in the polytunnel and just can reach being only 5' 1". I have to put stepping stones in it so that i can get to things. It took me so long to dig out too.

I think this is one of the most important aspects of veg gardening, designing the size of the beds. Because once you have done it, your pretty well stuck with it! It does depend on how tall and how long your reach too.

Ps Well done Cotton for getting so much done!!!!

[Shortie]

I've got a 5 foot wide bed in the polytunnel and just can reach being only 5' 1". I have to put stepping stones in it so that i can get to things. It took me so long to dig out too.

Am I glad you mentioned the stepping stones idea Jennie... at 5'2" that's a fab idea that I never even thought of!

[nick the grief]

Nother alternative shortie. Make a "bridge " that goes across with a peice of rope fastened to both ends then you can lower it over the bed & this can also be used for plantin the beds up.

[jlottie]

I have a rather large plot which a bit like a lopsided triangle. I have beds down each side for fruit and flowers and the middle is split into 10 slightly different size beds. I have used landscape fabric over very thick layers of newspapers for my paths. I can just about reach into the middle of each bed with my hoe. It makes plannig reasonably easy

[JennieAtkinson]

Nother alternative shortie. Make a "bridge " that goes across with a peice of rope fastened to both ends then you can lower it over the bed & this can also be used for plantin the beds up.

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Like the idea of the rope - I often fall off the stepping stones when pulling a carrot