Advice re. new plot please

[NotPercyThrower]

I am building a vegetable plot on my heavy clay ground. I have built 9 x 8ft by 4ft raised beds and have a few questions:

1. Can I turn the turf upside down inside each bed, or do I need to remove the turf, dig it over and fill it with even more topsoil?

2. I am going to lay weed-suppressing membrane for the paths, covered with bark. Should I remove the turf and lay the membrane, lay it on top of the grass, or spray weedkiller on the grass. I intend to use as few chemicals as possible, but understand that it neutralises upon impact with the soil. I just need to decide how to do the paths.

3. Should the membrane be tucked under the raised beds, perhaps even attaching them to the inside of the beds?

4. Does anyone know any good value topsoil providers to the Wiltshire/Bath/Bristol area? I have looked at Rolawn/Harrods, but it's quite pricey. I need 4-5 tonnes.

Thanks in anticipation of any advice. I want to get on with the paths in the next couple of days and then get the topsoil in, so all advice gratefully received.

Cheers, Not Percy

[oldie]

You will get lots of different vies on this one but it would be useful to know how deep the beds are. I have done some in different ways. 1. Turned turf over, covered with cardboard and planted potatoes through that. After potato harvest put in loads of horse manure (checked it was not contaminated) and left it to overwinter. Probably to late for that now. 2. Laid weed suppressing membrane over area and placed bed on top. Used cooks blow torch to cut the membrane from inside the bed and used it elsewhere. This left the bed sitting on the membrane. Some people line the side with membrane or staple old compost bags etc to the sides. Path was covered in straw. Straw has lasted 3 years. I have used straw as a mulch on top of bare ground and am very happy with the way it keeps weeds down and can be added to the compost bin as it deteriorates. I have checked my path widths and found I can just get my battery mower down them so I am going to grass one just to see how it does.

[scott78]

Hi
i had a similar starting point when i built raised beds on my 'lawn'.
Q1 for the grass in the beds, just cut it and turn over with a spade, its easier if you keep to 1ft square sods, any larger and its hard work turning them over.
Q2 i would leave the grass and cover it, if you dig it over then the paths will be lumpy and its an easier job
Q3 if its cheap enough and saves lots of cutting yes as it well give a neater finish in the long run
Q4 sorry not in your area, i do see it on ebay a lot.

hope this helps,

scott