My allotment! :)

Yes, two long beds minimises pathway, maximising growing space.

Crop rotation in its simplest form means that you do not grow the same crop in the same space 2 years running so that there is no pest build up. Many people work on a 4 year cycle (I do) and this can all be done in one bed if required by keeping a note of what grew where and when. Using the long beds above, you could mentally divide in two to then use on a 4 year cycle.

Hope that helps.

Steve...

 

Hi,
I'm with Steve, my veggie plot is about 22M long and I have it in four long beds that I can access from either side making it easier to plant/weed - this was taken this afternoon - weather here so mild weeds are growing like mad! I don't rotovate so I used perennial herbs across the beds to divide them.

 

Thanks so much both. This has given me lots to think about. My plot is about 6m x 21m so I could probably fit three long beds in with 50cm pathways (which I could make smaller or bigger later). I've done below drawing and am heading out there again tomorrow to measure up.

The only slight urgency is that I've, probably stupidly given I'm still working on the layout, bought three bare root dwarf apple trees... and they're currently sitting in the front room. So I need to decide where they're going quite quickly :D



Or I guess, keep it exactly as it was but with the beds as you drew Steve, and then a slightly thinner one beneath it, but stopping short for the compost bins.

 

If that diagram above is drawn to scale, the gaps in between the beds would only be 500mm which isn't wide enough to kneel down facing the beds whilst weeding, sowing, planting, harvesting, etc. I find bending through 90 degrees whilst kneeling in a narrow gap a PITA, so suggest physically checking out what you're comfortable with before embarking on the project. The layout also looks a bit tight for wheelbarrow access.

EDIT: Just re-read post and saw this was mentioned (it was those narrow gaps that grabbed my attention), but changing after construction would be a lot of unnecessary work, unless you mean amend the design before construction.

 

Yes I can do that, I'll make the paths wider than 50cm. Thanks. Without measuring my lower legs I'd guess they probably are longer than that lol!


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Making good progress I think. It's taken three days but I'm more or less half way in the weeding.

Heeled my apple trees in over Christmas while I mull on the layout more.


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It's looking good Jack..well done! My back would be killing me after that much weeding. I have to take my time these days!

 

I wouldn't normally do so much at once but desperate to get it sorted and only have limited days there. Enjoying every weed pulled out at the moment - gotta run with that feeling while it lasts! lol


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@JackJJW what a fantastic job you've done its unrecogniseable , I can't wait to see it all planted up

 

I took your advice Steve and Beckie and have gone for triple long beds. I've started marking them out roughly and I'm so glad you did recommend this already. It's already enjoyable marching backwards and forwards! the third bed I will need to sort out once I've cleared all of the junk on the left but at least now I have two big usable beds ready for the New Year. I made the paths 60 ish cm wide and the beds 140cm. I have included two small paths along the outside, as although wasting growing space slightly it allows me to place weed suppressing material along there as I can see the grass and weeds from the main paths will be a constant nightmare to manage.


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It's looking good Jack

 

Well done Jack, I'm glad it's working out for you.

Now, it's a mild winter so weeds will grow, hopefully you have one already but if not, get yourself a hoe to hoe them down with. It will take no more than 3 minutes to hoe through those beds but it will disrupt weed seeds that have germinated to stop them getting a foothold. Never leave it until your next at the plot because that is how they get established.

My Grand-dad a career gardener taught me to hoe every day with a "Y" in it. But eventually you will get some covers to tuck your beds up for winter.

I have to say, your soil looks good, it's almost like neat compost!

Steve...

 

Sorry for the late reply, I missed these.

Thanks everyone. I thought the soil looked good too so it's good to have a more experienced eye on it! The plot was looked after by an experienced gardener for years and there are a number of compost bins, so I'm guessing this soil has been worked very well for years. Hope I can maintain it as well. I'll have just as many compost bins.

Today I was down there sorting out the other end by weeding and pruning the raspberries. And sowed some broad beans.

I now have a Dutch hoe too!


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