Help with raised beds and small space

[Marb67]

I have dismantled the brick raised bed as it wasn't really that efficient and hard to get to veg because of no path. So I have started from scratch with 2 kits from Aldi but very limited with space. I am very limited but in the past have manages to grow decent enough crops some years depending on how good the summer.

Any different designs, layouts, which crops where (except for bricks) would be appreciated. The area by the bench has to be pretty clear for wife to have lounger in sun so can't use that space. I also have the large curved brick bed opposite bench for veg too. I want to grow kale,beetroot,main and spring onions,peas,runner beans,courgettes,charlotte spuds,borage,purple broccoli,salad leaf (all kinds),strawberry,leek, and probably more. All areas are open to veg with some plants. I am keeping it organic and attractive to wildlife. Any suggestions on square foot etc, best combos for rotation next season etc. if you need any more pics I can post some of past seasons with different layouts. The furthest brick corner away from camera is North facing. The bench with the broad beans on is South facing.

Sorry it's a mess but the garden is under construction so very untidy.



Here it was in the past

[Scarlet]

I'm off out now so can't offer any advice but just wanted to say - that space looks gorgeous! No wonder the Mrs has bagged a spot for her sun lounger.

[Dorothy rouse]

If you are v short of space, can you find room to grow the Charlotte's in potato bags? On a path maybe, then you will regain that space as you harvest the pots, Charlotte's do reasonably well in bags.

[Nannysally99]

Looking really good Marb

[Lumpy]

That already looks fantastic and I only have 2 things that I keep in mind - cram everything in and can you grow up or down.

I am a great believer in the use of tyres for strawberries, spuds, pumpkins etc.

[elsie-scot]

lovely looking garden. You have some great spaces around beds having them at that angle. Have you space beside house that you could have a raised planter for your salad leaves?

[Greenleaves]

I have a question Marb,

Based on the amount of moss on the bricks surrounding the kits, does it get much sun? If the area has limited sunlight that will affect your crops, if the area is rather damp it will potentially harbour pests.

Garden looks great by the way

[Greenleaves]

That already looks fantastic and I only have 2 things that I keep in mind - cram everything in and can you grow up or down.

I am a great believer in the use of tyres for strawberries, spuds, pumpkins etc.

Just as a footnote to Lumpy's post. I won't use tyres because of the amount of benzene and butadiene that leach from them. Just my personal choice

[Marb67]

Thanks for your kind comments on my very small space I am trying to make the best of. I think packing everything in is the best option. Smaller crops but still producing and it's only the two of us. The trouble is I have already had cabbage root , onion, carrot fly as well as vine weevil, flea beetle (attacks B Beans badly) beet leaf miner and other things I can't remember just now.

This is the other side with a bed made where it gets more sun morning-late afternoon


The far bricks you mentions with moss are more in the shade but the moss is probably due to the fact that in Winter the sun doesn't reach the garden as well as the wet winter we have had. I have grown taller crops there ok but then you are again limiting light getting to the smaller ones as the shade. Unfortunately as the neighbours who have started to rent don't cut anything back (nice enough people but treat the whole garden as a toilet for their dogs and no interest in any part of gardening or plants) the rambling rose is very tall with horrible old, shrivelled hips which will shade us a bit. I offered them some plants but they didn't seem interested. It's all dogs I'm afraid. Each to their own. And no, I am not going to ask them to cut it back, it's not my business to.

Sadly, our village allotments have a few years waiting list so no hope there either. It would have helped at least with some of the bigger crops that could see us through winter. Oh for a place in the country with a bigger garden. Here are some more images of past years to give an idea of what I have been able to grow. I think if we have a cold, wet summer it affects me badly because light and warmth is so important to an enclosed space. The last 2 seasons have been cold and wet as looking back to 2010/11 I had better crops.


Here is the whole plan to give an idea of the size of my space.

[Bigmallly]

Well I must say Marb, through all the problems you've faced, your garden looks great. A lot better than mine did last year that's for sure.

[Nicos]

It does doesn't it?....really lovely!

[Greenleaves]

Be really happy with a garden like that Marb

[marchogaeth]

It really does look lovely, well laid out and artistic. The only things I could think to say which you might like to consider to help would be:-

• Make those beds deeper even though they are small - I assume there is a depth of soil under them but if the beds are deeper you will have more control over how wet they are.
• Keep your wall whitewashed and even consider strategically places mirrors or reflective membrane to up light levels discretely.
• Treat your growing area like a poly tunnel/greenhouse by which I mean remove every bit of decaying material/weed that you can to reduce places for bugs and diseases. I'm sure most of the bugs you mention are likely to enjoy the dense growing conditions you have (like my tunnel, anyway).
• In a similar vein, as you probably know leaves don't contribute much to the plant's growth or production once they are old or shaded so you can consider removing these to keep the lower levels open with air circulation.

[KevinM67]

Wow Marb - that looks great !!!

You've been kidding us on with those depressive 'prophet of doom' like posts of yours in the past, haven't you.

I'm trying to sell my gaff at the moment - I'll get you a few beers if you come up here and sort my back garden out for me.

[Marb67]

It really does look lovely, well laid out and artistic. The only things I could think to say which you might like to consider to help would be:-

• Make those beds deeper even though they are small - I assume there is a depth of soil under them but if the beds are deeper you will have more control over how wet they are.
• Keep your wall whitewashed and even consider strategically places mirrors or reflective membrane to up light levels discretely.
• Treat your growing area like a poly tunnel/greenhouse by which I mean remove every bit of decaying material/weed that you can to reduce places for bugs and diseases. I'm sure most of the bugs you mention are likely to enjoy the dense growing conditions you have (like my tunnel, anyway).
• In a similar vein, as you probably know leaves don't contribute much to the plant's growth or production once they are old or shaded so you can consider removing these to keep the lower levels open with air circulation.

Ok, thanks. I can't make them higher regarding wood as that is all i have for this kit but I can certainly dig the soill below with a fork to break it up and perhaps mix in all the compost in my plastic bin, then fill up to the top with the excess soil I dug out. Not sure why you say dont leave any decaying plant materieal as I throught all organic matter would be great for a raised bed ?