Planning to grow veg for almost the first time...

[Philcal]

I am very new to gardening...this year I grew some lettuce on a raised bed. I have now got the bug and I want to convert part of my garden into a veg plot . The plot presently is about 20x25 feet and covered in black plastic with a covering of pebbles and gravel and has been for the last 10 years . I intend to create a few raised beds but the question is do I pull up the plastic and dig over the soil or just put the new topsoil on top of the gravel.the sides of the beds will be 9" high ..any help/advice much appreciated. I intend to get a 'hot'composter which I have read about and a 6x6greenhouse in the spring ...any thoughts on both ..many thanks

[veggiechicken]

Hello Philcal and welcome to the Forum Once bitten by the gardening bug, there is no cure!
Do you know what the ground is like under the plastic? If its OK I'd dig it over and incorporate it in your raised bed. If you want to grow potatoes and roots like carrots and parsnips, you need more depth than 9".

[Philcal]

Ground under the plastic

Hi thanks for the response...the ground under the plastic sheet is mostly clay ...used to be a bit boggy .

[Greenleaves]

Welcome to the vine, enjoy the benefits of the advice and humour

[cariann88]

Hello and welcome

[Potstubsdustbins]

Hi and welcome to the madhouse. If it is boggy clay the alternative would be to leave the plastic down and grow things like spuds and carrots in containers, give you more growing area too.

[muddled]

I'd still get rid of the plastic.
Then add what you like (compost, top soil or manure) ...then if you like, put the plastic back to prevent weed growth untill spring.

Oh! and your greenhouse might well be an awful lot cheaper now or next month in the end of season sales than in the 'peak' spring season!

Nice to 'meet' you by the way, welcome to the vine.

[skeggijon]

^^^^^^ wise words

[Bigmallly]

Hello Philcal & welcome to the Jungle. I would personally remove the plastic & leave the gravel in situ to aid drainage especially if it's clay as you mention. My reasoning is: If it's clay, yes it may get boggy but if you leave the plastic down, it will definitely get boggy.

[begining at 40]

same soil

Hi Phillip, I have clay soil also, and I'm also pretty new to gardening. I have heard that adding organic matter such as manure to the soil helps, but I think it also depends on when your thinking of planting. I personally. Wouldn't. Leave the black weed control down as it will make it worse for drainage and your limited on soil depth and what you can plant. Good luck.

[Philcal]

Thank you eveyone

Great feedback..thanks...just one last thing ...the HOT composted....any thoughts it looks amazing and for those who like me are a bit impatient it seems a great way of producing organic matter to add to the soil ...once again many thanks ...Phil

[veggiechicken]

This http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...bin_77967.html may help you.
I can't afford one

[Ribs]

Hi and welcome! I have a hotbin at home and 4 daleks at the lottie. I have most of my family and half the street bringing me grass cuttings for the hotbin-it eats them!! I found my first attempt to be too wet on emptying but that was me failing to get the mix right-I now have copious amounts of shredded paper from work to balance it properly. I would love to have the hotbin on the plot as the turnaround time is so quick but the price of it has put me off leaving it out of sight!
I'd recommend a hotbin but it comes down to money....time.....space..... and of course personal choice. I'm sure somebody else will add more pros/cons but this is my tuppence worth!!

[Philcal]

Hot bin cometh

After hours of research I Have ordered a hotbin ...it arrives when I get back from holiday. Tons of shredded paper and cardboard all I have to do now is cut the grass and get it started...I'll let you know the results...once again thanks for the feedback cheers

[Philcal]

Raised beds north to south or east to west

Just about to start getting my raised beds sorted ..a fairly easy thing to do I thought then I read conflicting reports on east/west against north south ..the plot will be near enough square 20x20 feet ..any thoughts on which way is best ..thanks in anticipation Phil