Raised Beds

[Alison]

I've gone for edged beds and yes the wood cost a bit but will last for a good few years (if you're buying make sure you buy something that will last). I double dug them all last year (they're all 10' by 4') and don't intend to dig this year apart from what is necessary to plant / dig up / weed etc. I will not be walking over them again, ever so they won't get compacted. The paths are grass and therefore can be walked over with normal shoes without worry of them getting dirty. They do need cutting back from time to time but it's not that much of a chore. However, the thing that I like the best about the beds is that everything is compartmentalised and I can weed or whatever a whole bed and feel like I've made 100% progress in that area where as if I had a large open space I'd find it demoralising.

Works for me but not everybody so just do what sounds good to you.

[Bigmallly]

I think growing in open ground or raised beds is purely preferential.

[Alison]

Indeed it is Bigmally and so long as the gardener is doing what works for them then they are doing it right!

[Shadylane]

But, do you have to get it? Why not just do what you want to do and be done with it?

Well I do lol. No I'm all for people doing whatever suits them it's just that when we first got our plot I saw a few raised, or more like edged beds and I couldn't really understand the point. If you're building the soil up then I can understand that but there's peeps near us who have flat beds edged in wood. For me personally I just felt it was a huge waste of time and effort.

Our neighbours pile up the soil in mounds and plant in it without edging, they say it makes it easier to hoe. They think I'm odd cause I use long beds and plant more intensively which means hand weeding as opposed to a quick half hour with a hoe. But at least y' get more veg that way. So yeah, each to their own.

[binley100]

Our beds are edged with boards and they have a chicken wire fence round them . This defines the area to chuck manure and compost on and keeps the rabbits off. Oh and also I can drape netting over the top to keep the pigeons off. Just need to sort out how to keep the mice out!

[Jeanied]

I did have a question about raised beds actually while we're on the subject here.
Is there a membrane that keeps out weeds but allows water to pass through, or do I need to but some sort of drain in it, do you think?

Hi there northepaul - noticed in the hot debate that no-one had looked at your question. I am sure the black woven plastic membrane I bought to lay over my paths and cover with bark chippings is both weed suppressant and lets the water through! Not that expensive either if I recall. Bought in a roll from my local chain garden centre.
I first started going in for deep beds when my big favourite Geoff Hamilton created them in the 70's - 80's(?) - they are a good way of keeping organised, and you can have raised fertility in a localised area meaning you can plant closer together and cram them in! This would not apply to some crops (brassicas spring to mind) so a mixed economy seems the best plan - at least, that's what I'm doing next year!

[Nicos]

Sorry- I didn't focus on that bit- yes 2/3 of my lottie beds are covered with weed suppressant membrane which allows water through..it's the stuff you put under gravel. Not cheap though

[Bigmallly]

I did put a reply to Northepaul but deleted it. I'm gonna do an experiment to try & get it back. Before I sent the reply, an advert for "Weed Fabric" was under the thread & I tried to tell Northepaul but due to other responses, the advert disappeared. I think it was about £24 per 100 metres. Lets see if the advert returns.

[Bigmallly]

As it didn't work, I only felt it right to find you some Northepaul. There is several sizes here.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Weed-Control-F...QQcmdZViewItem

[northepaul]

Hi there northepaul - noticed in the hot debate that no-one had looked at your question. I am sure the black woven plastic membrane I bought to lay over my paths and cover with bark chippings is both weed suppressant and lets the water through! Not that expensive either if I recall. Bought in a roll from my local chain garden centre.
I first started going in for deep beds when my big favourite Geoff Hamilton created them in the 70's - 80's(?) - they are a good way of keeping organised, and you can have raised fertility in a localised area meaning you can plant closer together and cram them in! This would not apply to some crops (brassicas spring to mind) so a mixed economy seems the best plan - at least, that's what I'm doing next year!

Thank you Jeanied
I wasn't sure if it was permiable (sp) or not. I did look at Homebase but there is absolutely no information with the relevant product.

I did put a reply to Northepaul but deleted it. I'm gonna do an experiment to try & get it back. Before I sent the reply, an advert for "Weed Fabric" was under the thread & I tried to tell Northepaul but due to other responses, the advert disappeared. I think it was about £24 per 100 metres. Lets see if the advert returns.

As it didn't work, I only felt it right to find you some Northepaul. There is several sizes here.

http://itemlistings.ebay.com/sdcsrp?fl=260490867419&product={query}&sconstraints=IncludeSelector%3DDetails%2CSellerInfo%26ItemType%3DAllFixedPriceItemTypes%26ItemSort%3DBestMatch&xm&siteid=3&rvr_id=&query=%7Bquery%7D&fitem=260490867419&mt_id=635&kw=%7Bquery%7D

Thanks aswell BM,
the link doesnt work, but I searched on Ebay and found loads of it. I also wanted to say thanks for the tip on scaffold netting, it worked a treat (until we lost the veggie patch that is ) and I have a whole load left to remake next year too, all for £10

[Jeanied]

Hi Northepaul - BigMally's link does work but you have to copy it and paste it into your main address bar at the top! My weed control permeable fabric has got white line/ square markings on it too - not sure why!

[Bigmallly]

So long as you found something, that's all that matters.

[zazen999]

I've amended the link for anyone else wanting it.

Wickes do the same sort of deal; last time I was there it was about £19 for 50m.

[Snadger]

I have four foot wide DELINEATED beds!

I like 2 foot wide permanent paths and try not to walk on the beds. The beds were dug once.............ner to be dug again!

'Up north' new fangled ways (even though the Victorians had them) take a long time to catch on, so on my site, I am the only oddball with beds!

[zazen999]

I'm also the only one on our sites with beds. I'm also the only one that can turn up in sneakers and go home clean.