Lawn or veggies?

[veggiechicken]

Should I give up the lawn in favour of a veggie bed?
Most of the garden has tree cover in summer so there is very little open ground. If I want to have a dedicated veggie area the only sunny spot is the lawn. But its also easy to maintain by mowing (I have a man)
It would need to be raised beds of some sort because of the dogs and wild rabbits.
I want to grow more veg but my worry is that I won't be able to give enough time to it, given that I have the rest of the garden (and the other garden) to maintain.
Although I think I know what your answers will be, can you help me decide please

[mrswadders]

funny you should start this thread.As you may recall I had to give up my lottie last year and have now claimed 90% of the lawn for veggies! We've just put boards round (think large joist size) and gravelled round, looks so much tidier and hopefully I should get a decent crop. So yup, unless you're a real 'lawn lover' I'd go for veggies especially if your like me and like the garden to productive as well as pretty, perhaps think pottager style - think two sheds has a similar thing???

[Aberdeenplotter]

No doubt for me but it isn't for me . If your lawn is your only sunny spot it does make it a difficult decision because sitting in the sun is of course an important part of the enjoyment of any garden. Do you have room to accommodate a sitting area and a planting area?

Whatever you decide, make the decision based on you being able to enjoy your garden not what we numpties think you should do

[veggiechicken]

Thanks Mrs W. I'm definitely not a lawn lover - but I don't have to do anything with it - that's its attraction. Some of it would have to stay as grass anyway - because of trees or existing planting like the spring bulb area. Its a puzzle - do I want to make more work for myself?

[Verinda]

I'd say the same, some raised borders but hopefully leaving enough room for a seating area. Sitting in the sun and admiring your raised borders is vital too!

[Feral007]

No brainer here since I have a boy, not a man And since what's left of the lawn has gone psycho since we had rain..............get rid of it. Yes a small area for a garden bench, or a small table and chair in the sun/shade is all you need.

[veggiechicken]

Thanks Ap, I never sit in the sun - except to have a coffee or lunch - and my favourite spots are in amongst the trees I feel guilty just sitting And my days of entertaining friends for meals in the garden are long gone
I'm going back there today so its tape measure and the back of an envelope time again

[mrswadders]

only you can make that decision VC, as AP said have you another seating area? I/we (the royal we!) decided that the veg patch was more important as it's very much a relaxation thing for me and Mr W reckons he might actually show an interest if it's in the back garden!

[veggiechicken]

Loads of places to sit Mrs W - its about half an acre - and I'm only little Thinking about it, I never have sat on the lawn bit - maybe slept there a few times on a sunlounger There's a hammock in the trees for that now

[redser]

Why not start 1 8x4 raised bed and see how it goes? You can add more later if it goes well. If not, dump the lot and sow grass seed over the patch in Autumn.

[veggiechicken]

Thanks red, that's my thought too at the mo - but I have to plan them as if there'll be more than one. Probably need to remove some existing plants too to fit one in.
Just for an idea of the lawn

[Potstubsdustbins]

No comment I will only be in the wrong............................

Potty

[veggiechicken]

Go on Potty, I dare you

[Potstubsdustbins]

Nope, not going to the norty step tonight.

Anyway your a big girl and can make your own mind up once you have talked it through with your friends on here. That way I won't get the blame if you don't like what you end up doing.

Potty

[veggiechicken]

Have you chickened out Potty?
I never blame anyone for my own mistakes - not even myself - so you don't have to worry I'm just trying to weigh up the pros and cons and I'm still not sure what I should do