Please can I have advice/pointers on my plan

[CADS]

Hi

Firstly, thank you to everyone who have posted on my previous posts.

I have now stetcked up the plan for my allotment and would appreciate any advice/pointers.

I have neighouring plots to the east and west of my plot.

I have fitted in twelve 8ft by 4ft bed and one 7ft by 4ft bed. I'm not sure whether there are enough beds for a family of four. Paths are 60cm.

I wish it would stop raining so I can get started.
CADS

[Bigmallly]

Are there any paths between your 8x4's? Otherwise 2 of your beds are going to be 16x8 which I would think is too wide as you will have to walk on them to reach the middle. Have you got room to incorporate some paths?

[Nicos]

My thoughts exactly.

The odd large/wide bed is fine though- for spuds one year and brassicas the next, and squash the next.
...although....some peeps are more than happy to stand astride row of beets and wiggle along a row of beans to get to the weeds.
Your call really

[CADS]

Hi

The two big beds consist 4 raised beds pushed together, I could use a plank to walk on.

Or I could pull them apart but then the paths would only be 40cm and I thought that 60cm paths would be better. Of course, I don't have any experience trying to manouvre around an allotment, would 40cm paths be wide enough?

CADS

[Nicos]

18" is the minimum you'd need to walk on easily- that's about 40 cm isn't it???- probably only just enough.
I wouldn't want to struggle with narrow paths to be honest...cos if you kneel to weed- it'll be very difficult. BUT- if you're a bum in the air weeder- then you may be OK.

I've an area over here about 12 x15 ft and put stepping stones in a + shape, dividing it into four- but it was really difficult to get to the toms- I ended up treading on quite a few dangling leaves of plants which had drooped a bit/spread.
Mine were ,I suppose, 4 beds of 6x7 and although it worked and looked pretty- it did become quite a tangle cos I like to plant close together.

The old guys next to my lottie just plant in rows and rows and walk up and down to weed- but the space lost between the rows could just as easily have been used on permanent pathways.

Everyone to their own!

[CADS]

Thanks Nico

Would rather not be a 'bum in the air' weeder but I see your point about trodding on things, also I suppose it will be easier to harvest if the beds where pulled apart.

Will have to rethink path size and start weeding bum in the air from now on...

[CADS]

This is what the plot would look like if I had 50cm paths between the bottom beds. I would lose the past between me and the neighbour on the east, not sure what others think about that. His plot isn't very well maintained and worried about his weeds coming onto my bed.

OR I could bite the bullet and have 40cm paths!

[CADS]

oops, forgot attachment.

[Alison]

I'd second the opinion that paths are very useful between the beds. I have 10' by 4' beds with various widths between. Basically you need enough space to be able to kneel down so measure the length of your shin and add a bit. I have about 18" between some beds and a wide 2.5' path though the middle and it seems to work OK although in mid summer some of the paths were rather taken over by things falling out of the neighbouring beds!

[Nicos]

oops, forgot attachment.

I could happily cope with that!!!...just watch out for the left hand beds for weeding!!..maybe a weed suppressant membrane ?????

[Bigmallly]

Would you not consider making the beds slightly smaller to accomodate paths on your first plan.

[CADS]

Nico - all beds will be on cardboard as the plot is covered in crouch grass and bindweed and bramble roots. Luckily, I am in the process over moving house to have lots of cardboard boxes. I wil use weed suppressing fabric on the paths though.

Bigmallly - I'm using 8ft decking boards and it is easier to cut one in half to get the 4ft width. unfortunately, hubby isn't keen on getting involved so it will be easier than fiddling around with measurements.

[Jeanied]

Hi Cads - for my twopennyworth - I really would buy an electric saw and cut your width down. I'm 5ft 6" and I don't have a 4ft reach or stride - so I have all mine at 3 1/2foot - this will mean cutting your 8 foot boards down to a 3ft 6" section for the ends of your beds. It made all the difference to me - I can walk over rather than walk round - and I can just about lean over to weed! If you are going to do all the work then you need to be comfy.

[Bigmallly]

Hi Cads - for my twopennyworth - I really would buy an electric saw and cut your width down. I'm 5ft 6" and I don't have a 4ft reach or stride - so I have all mine at 3 1/2foot - this will mean cutting your 8 foot boards down to a 3ft 6" section for the ends of your beds. It made all the difference to me - I can walk over rather than walk round - and I can just about lean over to weed! If you are going to do all the work then you need to be comfy.

I am not a lover of powertools....strange for a bloke I hear you say. Anyhow one of the best things I bought was a circular saw......Like Jeanied said, it is worth every penny & will make not only this job easier but any future plans you may have. It's very easy to operate. Think long term, it may take slightly longer to make (well it won't with a C.Saw) but will be worth it long term.

[CADS]

Thanks Jeanied, I ammended my first sketch so that I had 50cm either side on the beds. Except for the last one on the left, now there is no path between the bed and my east neighbour's plot but given that I am on 5'3", I will take your twopenceworth and reduce the width of the east side beds.
What would I do without this forum??
CADS