Old or New

[Digmeplot]

Talking to a old character on the allotment he was saying that the new allotment holders seem to be growing out of containers rather then use the soil underneath. He prefers the soil as he has worked the soil for so long and he thinks they are cheating. I pointed out that is the new way that people could reduce the maintenance of there plot, which turned into a well mannered debate.

[rustylady]

Personally, I think growing in containers requires much more "maintenance" particularly with regard to watering.

I can see the point of raised beds on land with poor drainage, but it seems to have become the fashion rather than being used for a purpose. Here in Lowestoft, gardening on sand, I have no need for them.

[zazen999]

Talking to a old character on the allotment he was saying that the new allotment holders seem to be growing out of containers rather then use the soil underneath. He prefers the soil as he has worked the soil for so long and he thinks they are cheating. I pointed out that is the new way that people could reduce the maintenance of there plot, which turned into a well mannered debate.

What does he mean - 'in containers'?

[Mikey]

Well there is a big advantage to raised beds on clay soil, I don't have to compact the earth to fork it over, which has saved me a lot of back breaking effort.

[Thelma Sanders]

I do think raised beds have become fashionable, though. Many allotments have good soil which can easily be grown in.

You can still divide the plot into beds and paths if you don't want to grow in straight lines like the old timers do

[Glutton4...]

I think the advantage of containers, is that they can often be moved without much disruption to the plant, and can even be lifted onto a table for maintenance purposes, if required.

Personally, I would prefer to grow in the ground, even in our good old clay soil, as I would endeavour to improve the soil. But at present, I have my spuds in tubs, as my only other option is no veg growing.

[Bill HH]

Raised beds are a boon if your getting older, I can kneel but even then its hard to weed without a hand on the ground to stop yourself falling over. The extra heght of say 9 inches makes weeding etc so much easier. I can rest my elbows on the sides of the bed, my knees on a part filled compost bag and my head deep in the greenery, they will one day find me asleep in that position, or even dead (what a lovely way to go). As for watering, yes you have to do a lot but this last year even in the ground its needed a lot of water and at least in a container the water isnt wasted, in a bed a lot of water cjust goes to the weeds.
Also using compost based soil means easy digging or no digging, My potatoes in bags came out clean enough to eat without worm holes or scabs, no back breaking work. All in all a pretty good thing these containers.
There are some gardens where the soil is perfect and thats good, but mine is so full of stones and roots from trees on the boundary (I hate those trees) that the plants dont get much of a chance.
Last year I dug a whole bed 7 metre x 4metres, nine inches deep and sieved every spade full, this year I am still finding stones, you just cant win.

[Bren In Pots]

Bill it sounds like you could do with a 'Garden Kneeler' I've got one and it does make getting back up easier, mines the second one in google images :-



garden kneeler and seat

[WendyC]

Lots of raised beds on our site. Probably as much as 50:50 now. I just have wooden boards between my beds and rows. I like the flexibility it gives me to rearrange the layout. When I say raised beds in truth most are just beds with edging.

[Olorin2001]

Personal preferences - there is no right or wrong way to garden - if it works for you and you get good harvests/productivity then it is a good way.
Although I have to say that trying to force your opinion onto others is WRONG

[Feral007]

I use the soil, but I put a lot of stuff on top of what's already there. I need to improve the soil as there's so much been taken out, washed out, or blown away over the years. I prefer no dig because of my back.
But I hate containers. They always dry out and the plant dies. No matter how careful I try to be.