Bed Orientation?

[chris]

Does this matter? - not sure if this should go in new shoots or not, but I'm just about to dig in and make some raised beds.. want to ensure that they're "right".

My garden is SSW facing, so we're going to start with a few beds at the bottom.. I'm thinking around 10-12' by 2.6-3' depending (will see if 3' is viable). The curved part of the rough sketches of the bottom of my garden below is a wall.. so I'm concerned about the shadow being cast by it in the winter. Looking on Google/Bing Maps, all of my garden area recieves sunlight (whenever it was shot - would have thought around summer time?) When we bought the place, one of the major points was the garden, as we've been wanting to grow for ages now... and with a new baby, seems a great time, to do it so we can intro her to it when she's growing up etc.

Anyay, not sure which sketch would be the better option - can fit a few more than 2 beds in, but its just for the idea... or does it not matter? I guess the beds running north-south would be cast in a bit of a shadow if I go within a foot or two of the wall...


or


If it doesn't matter, I may do one of each, or something to be a bit "different"

[Two_Sheds]

If you have the choice, orient your beds running south-north. That way the crops get the sun as it travels east to west.
Keep your taller crops to the back, on the north side, unless you want them to create shade (lettuce likes a bit of shade in high summer)

Don't worry too much about winter shade: nothing much is growing anyway

[Bigmallly]

and with a new baby, seems a great time, to do it so we can intro her to it when she's growing up etc.

Babies don't appreciate being transplanted................

[Alison]

As TwoSheds says, north to south is best if you can.

[chris]

Thank you