Allotment Frame Advice

[4Shoes]

I've been working on the modular design for beds in my Veg Garden (and perhaps polytunnel) but not sure if the strategy works...

I'd been fussing about the size of the bed, but eventually came up with a basic bed 1.2m x 2.4m. The 1.2m to allow me to reach the middle from the sides, the 2.4m to allow 4 beds across the width of the allocated "Veg Patch". Each Area is just over 2.4m x 10m - 7 Areas in the Veg patch, giving almost a full Allotment Size Area. Allowing beds to run across the area if required. I,e, each area has 8 beds in the Planning spreadsheet

I'd also built a few frames as an experiment

1.2 x 2.4 modular "Raised Bed" Frame . These are essentially 150mm high planks with a block in each corner to enable them to be stacked. The Bottom frame also sinks into the ground to hold it firm. Understand these can also be used in a polytunnel to create a hotbed or with mini polytunnel to make a propagator frame. - Still to get Polytunnel On these I've tried

1.2 x 2.4 Cold Frame to hold 2 x Double Glazing units, but the Glazing unit is quite heavy so may try to make single Glazed Cold Frames this next year.

1.2 x 2.4 Hooped Mini Polytunnel. This works much better, but more awkward to open.

I was thinking of building Hooped frames with "MDPE" water pipe and MDPE clips (just slip bits of pipe to make clips) to hold netting and fleece, but perhaps Greenleaves Frames may be a better idea.

Also thinking of creating a "Chicken Tractor" Frame for clearing up and pest control (Slugs and bugs). Slugs are a real problem here.

Has anyone done anything similar?

Does this work, or will it just be a faff after the 1st year?

[Cadalot]

I made a portable frame us the first year 2012 and its still together and providing service. I also made some portable 1.2x1.2 square frames see Alans Allotment: Blue Water Pipe & Netting

[4Shoes]

Hi Cadalot

Yes, I have been experiencing some of the same features that you have identified with your initial builds.

I've had a quick scan, and by the time I've settled down in January, hope to have made progress with planning and building for the year ahead.

Thanks again for the info.

[Cadalot]

No Problem 4Shoes looking forward to seeing what you come up with, I have managed to get a hold of a load of tiling batten so I'm looking at making some universal panels that I can use as well as hoops next year.

[Snadger]

The problem I've found with hoops is that there is plenty of space in the centre but not a lot of space near the edge.

I suppose a way round this would be to put hoops into short scaffold pipes knocked into ground, sitting one foot proud of the soil, so gaining that extra height!

[Cadalot]

Snadger - they work alright if you make them tall enough like the ones I have for sprouts



But you need the horizontal bracing to stop them spreading, but that's why I'm looking at making some panels up

[Snadger]

Snadger - they work alright if you make them tall enough like the ones I have for sprouts

[ATTACH=CONFIG]77851[/ATTACH]

But you need the horizontal bracing to stop them spreading, but that's why I'm looking at making some panels up

The problem is that my hoops are made from heavier guage piping which naturally wants to form a circle four foot diameter and won't straighten.!

[4Shoes]

No Problem 4Shoes looking forward to seeing what you come up with, I have managed to get a hold of a load of tiling batten so I'm looking at making some universal panels that I can use as well as hoops next year.

Penny has dropped... Battens for roof tiles? 2" x 1" or 1/2" sort of thing.

The Battens I use are 150mm x 19mm x 3600mm - treated larch. Spare from some work I did on the house. I use the local saw mill and have a lot of building projects to do. Last Year I planted 50mm sq posts and nailed on 50mm ripped planks to either side of the bed. 1 plank along each side of a 3000mm debris net. Tuck net in at each end of plot. The battens on netting twisted. Not vey good

I was looking at Greenleaves pictures and thinking could 1 make 3 x 1.2m x 2.4m frames (Front, top and back) and how to lock then in place with the ends (1.2m sq)

I'll try out the longer blue pipe frame too.

This was a follow on for a similar concept to build chicken breeding pens. 2.4m x 1.2m frames with chicken wire. I have a large concrete standing to partition off for fox proof pens . Was going to build coop inside the dutch barn. Secure run on concrete, and free range run into garden "rough" ground.