Mixed Beds

[GARYJL]

Just got myself a small plot only about 60sq mtr so not much room
to play with by the time you fit a 6' x 4' shed and possible a small
greenhouse or grow tent. My question is can I have just 2 long raised
beds running almost the full length of the plot with a mix of veg in set
out batches or do I need to section the lengths of into smaller beds ?
(If that makes sense ).

Any other advice on setting out a plot for the first time would be appreciated.

[veggiechicken]

Hello Gary and welcome! You don't say how long these beds would be so don't forget that you'd have to walk the whole length of the bed to get to the other side!
You might like to consider Square foot gardening and there is a lot of information here http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ing_44388.html
Also could you add your location to your profile please as it gives us some idea of your local conditions for planting dates etc.

[Matt94]

hi garry, some people have atleast 4 beds so they can rotate the 4 types of veg (roots, brassicas, legumes and pots) to reduce the risk of disease - however 2 beds will work fine aslong as you remember not to put the veg in the same place the following year. However i am one to talk as i put my beans in the same place every year.

a tip i would give you is to make your beds 4ft wide (some taller people make them 5ft) - this ensures that you can reach the middle of the beds.

Anyway rule no1 of joining this forum is to keep us updated with pics

[zazen999]

You can have what you want - it's your plot!

[GARYJL]

Thanks for the quick replys.
The beds would work out about 13mts long but I had considered having
a gap at the half way point for access which would then give me four beds
for crop rotation I suppose.
Im based in Belfast and have a plot at Vista Allotments

[Newton]

Are they commercial allotments? Tell us all about them if they are........


You could have two long beds......one for strawberries........the other for strawberries!

[veggiechicken]

Did you look at Gary's link, Newton? They're on private farmland. Any size you want at a fixed price per square metre - £2.20 if I remember correctly.

[Newton]

Just looked at the homepage........sorry VC. You should be able to BUY farmland at £2.20 per sqmetere. 4047 sq m to the acre.......

[Bigmallly]

Thanks for the quick replys.
The beds would work out about 13mts long but I had considered having
a gap at the half way point for access which would then give me four beds
for crop rotation I suppose.
Im based in Belfast and have a plot at Vista Allotments

Welcome to the vine Gary.......As Zaz said, it's yours to do with as you wish, you have 2 choices really. If you don't mind walking, leave the beds @ 13mts.............. or as you mentioned, split them into shorter beds with a path in between but you would then lose growing area. Take your time, think what you want to grow. There is oodles of info on the vine. It's a perfect time of year for planning

[zazen999]

Just looked at the homepage........sorry VC. You should be able to BUY farmland at £2.20 per sqmetere. 4047 sq m to the acre.......

Oh my goodness...

What a rip off!

[Newton]

Welcome Gary.....a little belatedly.......I am sure that you will enjoy your new allotment as much as we all do.

Your rent just highlights what a good deal we get from the council..........but for how long if your plot is full of allotmenteers paying high commercial rents........it shows what your market can bear!

I expect that nobody neglects their plot though........

[Bigmallly]

£120+ a year for 60 sq mts ?................cough...splutter

[Two_Sheds]

The beds would work out about 13mts long

My beds are only about 2m long, and I still get annoyed at having to walk around them to do planting, then I forget my trowel so I have to go back round to get to the shed, then I've forgotten my cuppa, so I have to walk back round again to fetch that...

If your beds are too long, you WILL get annoyed and start walking on the bed, which will compact the soil, possibly spread disease (white rot can travel on your boots) etc.

If you don't want to lose too much room to paths, you could put stepping stones here and there for access and "jumping over" the beds

[zazen999]

If I was paying that much, every inch would have to be planted up, there would be no paths.

[kathycam]

Hi, we have stepping stones in our larger beds, that way it takes up less space than a proper path. We don't grow in rows, so stuff grows between the steps. Just have to remember not to plant stuff that blocks the stones.

I think my allotment is pricey, next year will be £90 for a 10 rod plot. The council was going to put it up even higher, but now we are self managed. I don't think the rates need to be that high, but they are trying to build up a safety net, if anything goes wrong. Even at the rates we charge, not everyone is working their plots, some are just collected weeds and we have a waiting list!

I think long beds will work fine, you can still rotate them if thats your style. Just create a line in your head of what type of section each bit is.