Allotment layout and space advice...

[almitch1]

Hi All

Below is two pics of my allotment about 3 months ago. As you may be able to see my paths are big and I have some wasted areas can anyone advise what may be the best way to go??



Many thanks

[sparrow100]

Can you try different ways of doing things on some of the spare ground? You will get a fair few recommendations, but other people's way of working a plot might not suit you.

For instance I have raised beds with 45cm paths on one plot, which is just wide enough to get my 1970s barrow down. The paths have weed suppressant under, which is fastened to the beds with clout nails and woodchip on top. It has taken a LOT of work and time to set this up.

On the other i have just 2 paths which are 50cm wide and the rest is lazy raised beds with cardboard with woodchip on top for very narrow (20cm) paths. The idea being that every year I will dig the beds over, dig in the cardboard and woodchip and start all over again. It's also a lot less faff and cost.

[almitch1]

Can you try different ways of doing things on some of the spare ground? You will get a fair few recommendations, but other people's way of working a plot might not suit you.

For instance I have raised beds with 45cm paths on one plot, which is just wide enough to get my 1970s barrow down. The paths have weed suppressant under, which is fastened to the beds with clout nails and woodchip on top. It has taken a LOT of work and time to set this up.

On the other i have just 2 paths which are 50cm wide and the rest is lazy raised beds with cardboard with woodchip on top for very narrow (20cm) paths. The idea being that every year I will dig the beds over, dig in the cardboard and woodchip and start all over again. It's also a lot less faff and cost.

On your second way you use cardboard and wood chip where on the beds or the paths!???

I like the idea of that

[veggiechicken]

.............on the paths!

[Snadger]

Can I just ask, if you knew the paths were too wide why did you make them that size? Because you haven't got anything growing it would be a simple thing to change. Normal spacing is two foot wide paths and four foot wide beds. There's nowt wrong with having paths a bit wider though, its just you've got less growing space.

Nice looking sloped plot btw!

[almitch1]

I took the plot on this April and that's the layout that was there. I have got stuff growing, those pics were taken in April.

[Guest]

I used to have a wide central path with small paths coming off. I used tub trugs so small paths weren't an issue and as someone has said on here before I am a bum up gardener not a kneeler, so it suited me fine. I found I needed to keep beds short (4m-) or I naturally found myself stepping over them. The plan needs to suit you and be honest with your self.

Get pen and paper and consider what you want to grow, what needs homing, can you cope with diddy paths or are you a comfy kneely person, do you have any other wishes (sit down area, play area etc), do you like quite regimented beds or do you have a more quirky nature? I know it is early days but they are points worth thinking about so you don't end up re-doing everything.

Have a good mooch around the forum there are loads of ideas and great advice. A couple of threads to start you off http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...dar_83084.html http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ter_34360.html