Raised Beds

[Snadger]

Definitely don't agree about us 'up north' you traitor! On my site there's a mix of ideas and we even have one person who has solar panels attached to his/her greenhouse - how up to date is that!
It's like others have said, go with what suits you. As I've only had my allotment for a year, it's a mix of beds and no beds and it has suited so far. I do find paths beneficial for wheelbarrowing manure/compost though.

(Must be a Mackem methinks!!!)

[harrybrew69]

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.

I agree. Plus edged beds as they should be called, also help with rotation, containing infected soils (white rot ect) and are easy to work through in a set schedule of cultivation and weeding.

[Shadylane]

You can pretty much get the same from undedged beds and you don't have to spend hours nailing the things together. They do look pretty though.

[Alison]

I find that the wooden edges help me keep the edge of the beds in the same place by forming a permanent delineation.

[Ladybird2618]

Looks grand Chuffa.
I'd love to edge my beds as I love the neatness of it but can't justify the cost I'm afraid. Might try edging with string as suggested elsewhere (sorry can't remember who posted it) and then do them one at a time.

[gojiberry]

All my beds on the lottie have been edged with one board as I like a tidy plot with proper paths around the beds. I have two beds that have reached the top of the boards so will be adding a second board this year. Unfortunately I don't have a no dig policy as I have mares tail which needs to be dug out at least once a year although I am trying to eradicate it with covering the beds when not in use.

Ian

[miffy]

I have beds edged in planks on my lottie, i have experimented with different paths, grass, weed surpressent and also wood chip.
I have found that with my arthritus that i am able to sit and weed which saves my back the planks give newly planted veg plants some shelter from our exposed site, these beds also seemed to warm up quicker.
I found they held water well, i kept on top of the weeds better than my non edged beds.
I plan on my new half plot to have some no dig beds without the edging.
Re the planks going rotten i bought gravel boards which had not been treated with any dodgy chemicals and which have a guarentee for ten years so i do not have to worry re rot. Also other plot holders have used scaffolding boards and they seem to last for ever.
I do not think there is a right or a wrong way to plot out or to grow your veg, there are so many considerations, site, soil, veg you would like to grow and not to mention your own time, and physical capabilities.
I have loved growing using 'edged bed' system and feel it works best for me and my plot.
I also painted the planks bright blue and they look fab too, really cheerful even in the cold winter months.

[expat/france]

i have sixteen raised beds and although i agree the grass can be a bit of a bind to cut between the beds i find i get a great deal of satisfaction when its done and the fact that i can COMPLETE 1, 2 or however many beds i have time for in a particular session gives a feeling of a job well done. it also helps with crop rotation. i have a bad back and find that after a few years of adding compost/manure a quick weed and hoe and the bed is ready for use.
they can be covered with cardboard/weed suppressing fabric etc etc and easily fixed down and frames can be made to cover crops with fleece/polythene/net just as easily. easily warmed in spring and freedraining. tidy and neat. compost etc stays in place with no wastage on parts that are not going to be used for growing... shall i go on

you can tell i'm a real fan of raised beds

[Storming Norman]

Well I'm in favour of raised beds - in fact I was warned by the old hands that my plot floods in winter so to me it was the only way to handle the area sensibly, and grow in the winter. As its is clay it really helps the drainage, and did not dry out overly in summer.

They were planted intensively and in the main are really productive. I would not have been able to grow so much from such a small space without the beds.

Funny thing is that everyone looked at me as if I was mad but 6 have now quietly told me that they want to try some beds on their plot next year.

The empty plot next to mine is wet and squishy however I have just taken it on anyway. I plan to grow only raspberries in raised beds there [since they must have drainage]. The rest of the plot will be narrow pathed beds as described above for potatoes that I can dig a bit easier as you really cannot dig thoroughly in a raised bed without moving it around; and other veg that do not need intensive farming. Might also try some fruit cordons.

I think both work well depending on the crop involved and space you have available, but I have found it is much easier to improve the soil quickly in raised beds.

[Snadger]

Well I'm in favour of raised beds - in fact I was warned by the old hands that my plot floods in winter so to me it was the only way to handle the area sensibly, and grow in the winter. As its is clay it really helps the drainage, and did not dry out overly in summer.

They were planted intensively and in the main are really productive. I would not have been able to grow so much from such a small space without the beds.

Funny thing is that everyone looked at me as if I was mad but 6 have now quietly told me that they want to try some beds on their plot next year.

The empty plot next to mine is wet and squishy however I have just taken it on anyway. I plan to grow only raspberries in raised beds there [since they must have drainage]. The rest of the plot will be narrow pathed beds as described above for potatoes that I can dig a bit easier as you really cannot dig thoroughly in a raised bed without moving it around; and other veg that do not need intensive farming. Might also try some fruit cordons.

I think both work well depending on the crop involved and space you have available, but I have found it is much easier to improve the soil quickly in raised beds.

What an ideal oportunity do do a trial of both methods..........one lottie trad and one with beds!