how to avoid compacting the soil?

[binley100]

I have long beds that are about 16'long and 4' wide but I block plant in squares or rectangles depending on what goes in .

[Two_Sheds]

beds are the eventual plan but the money just doesnt stretch

You don't even need planks, just get some polyprop string and some tent pegs (£ shop). Mark out your paths/beds with string, then never walk on the beds.

I wouldn't bother growing in rows. You'll get far more produce by block planting

Blocks/ beds, whatever you want to call them

Just not rows

[Gemmalaveen]

I used leftover bricks to lay paths between my beds - we were lucky that the previous owners left so much stuff behind. My paths are much narrower (two bricks wide) than the paths shown in the photo posted by Two Sheds and they seem to work well for me, although I do sometimes kick my plants on the other side when kneeling!

Here is a snap of my beds/pathways:

[Kaiya]

2nd, 3rd and nth'd beds. I don't have edges on mine - they are vaguely humped areas of earth bound by weed suppressing membrane paths. I must have paths rather than just compressed soil as otherwise I forget not to walk on the beds. I am envious of Gemma's bricks!

http://kailyn.co.uk/wp-content/uploa...82-300x168.jpg
^my allotment. The humps should get taller over time as I mulch etc. and one day I may find some proper pathing material.

Although your space is small, if you use beds and don't walk on them you'll still get a good harvest as block planting is more productive per area than rows.

[supasick]

Is it ok to use straw to mark my paths then dig it in at the end of the year? There's so many different directions to go in and it doesnt help having my parents twittering about whats 'right' and 'wrong'. Ideally i'd prefer a 'no dig' plot then again my dad has just bought a rotavator. Maybe i should just get myself an allotment, although the waiting list is humongous for plots about the same size as i have here.

[rustylady]

Is it ok to use straw to mark my paths then dig it in at the end of the year? There's so many different directions to go in and it doesnt help having my parents twittering about whats 'right' and 'wrong'. Ideally i'd prefer a 'no dig' plot then again my dad has just bought a rotavator. Maybe i should just get myself an allotment, although the waiting list is humongous for plots about the same size as i have here.

Who is doing the growing, you or your dad?

[supasick]

technically me, but i do need a hand getting it ready cos i have health issues. They dont mean to take over but they seem to always assume i need help rather than wait till i ask. It also doesnt help that i live with them so its actually their garden!

[donnakebab]

I have used these at home rolled out flat on the soil. Don't know how much wear they will take though as doesn't get the traffic it would at my lottie.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...OL._AA300_.jpg

[Bren In Pots]

Is it ok to use straw to mark my paths then dig it in at the end of the year? There's so many different directions to go in and it doesnt help having my parents twittering about whats 'right' and 'wrong'. Ideally i'd prefer a 'no dig' plot then again my dad has just bought a rotavator. Maybe i should just get myself an allotment, although the waiting list is humongous for plots about the same size as i have here.

Have a look here at this thread of supersprouts the beds aren't edged andthe paths are straw:-

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ment_5573.html

[Kaiya]

Ideally i'd prefer a 'no dig' plot then again my dad has just bought a rotavator.

My Dad bought a tiller and I went no-dig Luckily he bought an electric one and though he claimed we could reach our lottie from the house with several extensions, he hasn't actually got around to doing that yet. It was useful for the home garden though.

Donna, that's a fab idea - are they slippy? A roll of willow fencing might work as well. Hmm.

[supasick]

i love that allotment! It looks so neat. I reckon thats the way i'll be heading. Just to go out and start marking out the beds. Its all rather exciting the first time!
The rotavator he bought is petrol powered so no cables! Still, i'll probably use it anyway at the start and end of each season.

[supasick]

Ok, so you probably cant see too clearly but i've got two 4ft beds and a 3ft bed with two 11/2 ft paths in. I quite like the look of it, i've also found out that my yard might be able to buy in some straw for me. So looks like i *might* be all set. How many small bales of straw do you think i might need? I was thinking of using straw on the paths and round my strawberries, squash plants and courgette plant, just to keep the fruit off the soil.

[Two_Sheds]

^ it's already cleared, you don't need to rotavate it

[supasick]

Yeah we've already rotavated it after weeding. All i really need to do now is figure out where my beds are going, then straw up the paths and start planting.