[Knoll]

Really bad idea?

I am going to fill my plot with 8x4 beds with adequate wheel barrow width on all sides of each bed! Its a big area, 350m squared. I want to make the paths as maintenance free as possible. Membrane will be laid over the entire plot initially.

So I potentially need tons of bark, chippings or maybe limestone. I was offered more or less free bark from an allotmenteers mate. I haven't seen him since though but I do realise this will break down and not be as maintenance free as desired.

The other option is gravel, but a cheaper option is limestone chippings. Obviously these are going to be alkaline in nature, and if they surround in quantity every bed is this going to be a disaster? I guess Brassica's would enjoy it! But others may not grow! Standard gravel is an option but would be a few hundred extra in cost!

[8doubles]

Weeds will grow in it whatever and another thing to consider is pushing a wheelbarrow full of manure .
Soft or shingley will make it hard work!

And also birds and other animals will spread bark about.

No easy solution if you are not using concrete !

[Knoll]

Thanks, yeah there are no ideals! I have 4 raised beds at the back of my house, before I took the allotment on! I do have to weed weekly in the beds but I haven't as yet done anything to the blue slate area around them!

Like you say a barrow will be harder work for sure! But still possible with an inflated tyre!

I guess I will forget the bark! I was a bit against it anyway given it will need replacing but I never thought about the birds!

Concrete is a no no with the site rules! It's gonna be limestone or gravel I guess! Limestone being almost half the cost, it looks ok too but I might end up with soil of a very high PH!

[mumofstig]

Standard allotment rules that are used here, stop us using gravel or chippings on paths, have you checked yours?

So for us it is weed control membrane on its own or with wood chippings/bark on top. Every couple of years you can add the (by now) well composted path material onto the beds and add fresh material to the paths.

[Knoll]

Standard allotment rules that are used here, stop us using gravel or chippings on paths, have you checked yours?

So for us it is weed control membrane on its own or with wood chippings/bark on top. Every couple of years you can add the (by now) well composted path material onto the beds and add fresh material to the paths.

I spoke to the secretary about my plans and he was a bit against gravel. But more because he said he had it as a main path and muddy boots kept picking it up and it got everywhere. I said that was the reason for 4ft wide beds so I needn't step on them! I did think they would be against someone bringing tons of gravel though, if the person gave up  the allotment the next would have a job clearing it!

[Knoll]

I got Mypex style sheeting to cover the area. I wonder about getting more now for a double layer with nothing on top!

Any other ideas?

[New shoot]

Mypex alone should be fine, though do watch for it greening over with algae in the winter, as it gets slippy.

If you can get free bark, I would go for that.  If your beds are edged, there will be limit to how much the birds chuck around that actually gets in your way and old stuff can be composted and replaced as MoS says   

[snow white]

I would suggest just using membrane on its own and sweeping it occasionally.  On our allotments if anyone put gravel or stone chippings down they would have to remove it all when they left or incur a cost for it to be done on their behalf.  (Not that they would be allowed to do this.) People must leave the allotment clear of rubbish.  You would find it would get everywhere and when anyone used a lawnmower you would get little missiles flung at great speed everywhere. I started using wood chippings but as they turn to compost, I am leaving the membrane clear.  Wood chippings just grow more weeds.    Plain good quality membrane last ages and looks neat and tidy.

[Knoll]

Thanks guys!

I got enough of the thick stuff to cover the area once! I am toying with the idea of getting a second lot, its around £150 for the area, cheaper and easier than the gravel and it would look fine as you say. Not sure what I would do with the edges but they could be pegged down or something!

Yeah I think getting rid of the gravel would be a terrible chore! And I wasn't looking forward to laying it either as the site isn't accessible for a HGV, I would have needed it dropped at home and run it round 10 bags at a time! Although leaving the plot clear would have been nice for me, my pile of rubbish is getting huge and I have enough bricks to build a small house, amongst the other stones/wood/plastic!

The bark was offered by someone on the site with I am guessing a mate only too happy to get rid of it! I haven't seen him since and certainly don't want to be paying for it! I'll consider it for free though!

My next topic would have been is decent membrane ok on it's own and I think you have answered that for me!

Thanks very much for your help! If required bark could be added later, for now I guess a double membrane cover will be ample to get started off!

[Yorkie]

I agree with the others who say use membrane on its own.  I wouldn't use the limestone.

Limestone will alter the pH of your soil and could make your spuds all scabby.

The bits will get everywhere and if you want to move the paths' location it will be very difficult to do so.

[Knoll]

I agree with the others who say use membrane on its own.  I wouldn't use the limestone.

Limestone will alter the pH of your soil and could make your spuds all scabby.

The bits will get everywhere and if you want to move the paths' location it will be very difficult to do so.

Thanks, yeah it seems the membrane only is both practical and easier on the ol' back!

[snowdrops]

Put some cardboard under the membrane then 1 thickness will be ample, I only ever used it 1 layer & that was without cardboard first, I did get the occasional weed popping up but that's cos it was riddled with horsetail. I collected a variety of slabs & laid them on top over timeline

[Yorkie]

If your membrane is not too thin, one layer should suffice without the cardboard - mine has done many years now (7+) without any extra help.

[Knoll]

Thanks all, won't the cardboard just compost away anyway?

This is the stuff I got but in a larger quantity


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yuzet-2m-x-50m-100g-Weed-Control-Ground-Cover-Membrane-Fabric-Heavy-Duty-/111928631858?hash=item1a0f776232:g:~jwAAOSwgQ9VrDzo

[Knoll]

If your membrane is not too thin, one layer should suffice without the cardboard - mine has done many years now (7+) without any extra help.

I maybe the slightest bit short on amount but I do have a roll of Visqueen I could fill in the gaps! I might get the rest of the area in the same stuff, with just enough additional to run down the main path for added thickness!

Have you done anything about joins? And have you pegged down the outer edges?