planting distances for raised beds?

[Incy]

I grow in raised beds in my garden and like Uncle Albert use the distance between plants as a guide for all directions as you don't need to get between the rows. It works very well for me.

[chrissie the chippy]

thank you for all the replies

I think, with some careful planning, I should be able to be quite productive with my space in the garden I'll have a look out for some book on the subject, I like sitting and reading and planning!

It might take a couple of years to get everything plodding along how I want it, but I will enjoy it. I'd love to do it at the allotment, but at the same time, it's so nice to pop out to the garden when my 16 month is having a nap with my 8 year old daughter, and then when I put them to bed, I know I can pop out in the garden and tend to them in my own time. (at the time that I got the allotment I was living in a flat with no garden).


I was thinking of maybe covering the plot with cardboard (can't afford weed supresent at the moment, the site is quite large) and maybe just have it for fruits? I'll have to get in touch with the allotment officer to see if it is ok. That should be easier to maintain? and rather yummy

[oldie]

I have used cardboard and found it useful to then cover it with straw or when available manure. The straw doesn't blow off and can eventually be incorporated into the soil.

[gadgetman]

Or, as lasagne gardening sites suggest, 8 sheets of newspaper is as good as cardboard.

It's what I used in the base of my raised bed, and have had zero weeds.

[Alison]

The only problem I can see with you turning it totallly over to fruit is that if you do want to grow veg there again in the future you'll have to move / dispose of productive fruit bushes which could be difficult! Seriously, I'd argue against anybody simply covering a plot over and leaving it in limbo when there are long waiting lists but so long as you are using it productively then that sounds OK

[Uncle Albert]

I tried that lasagne gardening technique as well, but the cheese sauce just seemed to attract mice...