THIS WEEKS UPDATE POSTED 06/11/06

Hello all, just to let you know that I have updated my website with hopefuly some useful information for getting your soil and plot ready for next season, regards Steve.

http://www.myallotments.blogspot.com

 

I have been thinking of creating raised beds in my garden - any advice and where did you get your wood from, anything I've looked at so far costs a fortune!!

 

Oh! by the way I used to have an allotment in Stourbridge at the back of the Police Station in the Broadway!!

 

I have just put in raised beds.

I have used cladding for this year painted with timber care. The cladding will only last one or two years, but by then I can replace it with something a bit more substantial.

Decking is probably good but it depends on how big your beds are to be. Mine are 6ft x 4ft.

Whatever you use, it is a good idea to line it. I use old compost bags with the black side against the wood as it helps keep warmth in the soil.

If it is for an allotment then anything recycled will do as it does not have to be to pleasing to the eye.

The local building merchants have posts that they just throw away, they are 3" x3" and approx 3ft long and they are great for corner posts. Worth investigating if there is one near you.

Hope that helps.

 

Thanks Sally, I was at first thinking of railway sleepers until I priced it - far to expensive. My local wood merchant sells tanalised gravel boards 6x6''x1'' which I think will do the job.

 

Hi am new and not into the protocol yet.
For what its worth this year I have started raised ( sort of ) beds. The veg patch is 18' * 18' so I have just put lawn edging down the paths filled the path with wood chippings put 30 barrow loads of 5 year old cow muck on the top and am waiting for the worms to do their thing. I know its not perfect but what the hell. The beds are a bit wide but I use a claw from the path. Hope to use propper wood if it looks ok in 08.
ttfn