[Aunt Sally]

I can't see too big a problem with that.  I think you'll find that smaller areas are easier to cover than long rows.

[argaric]

I am with Aunt Sally on the paths, I have one permanent path up the middle of my plot and then use boards where I need them as my beds change size each year depending on what I am trying to grow and there is a wide variety of soil conditions on my plot.

Regards,
  Argaric

[Kieron]

Terrible at replying! Sorry!

Some really good comments and certainly given me food for thought. The amount of paths came about due to wanted as many seperate beds. My intention isn't to be self sufficient but to start off growing what I can and take from there.

The large number of beds, I hope, will allow me to manage areas more easily as I can change soil conditions or cover up completely when not in use.

However, based on your comments I have seen a number of improvements I can make so thank you very much for you responses.

Cheers

[andreadon]

Terrible at replying! Sorry!

Some really good comments and certainly given me food for thought. The amount of paths came about due to wanted as many seperate beds.

you could always put a divide of some sort in the bed (like a plank on its side) - that way it's separated but not with a path.
if that makes sense.

[Scribbler]

Trebor that's not an allotment plan - it's a work of art!

[Trebor]

Trebor that's not an allotment plan - it's a work of art!

That’s a simplified version – you should see the one I did for my own allotment. Then again I did have 6 months to plan it!

[lil9angel]

I have set up 4 big beds with 4 smaller beds in each and I scaled this to the size of your plot so you can see how it would work (see the attachment). You could put the shed and compost areas at the top (or side if you rotate the plan).

It is my first year, but the plan is to rotate the beds around each year and since they are exactly the same size it should make planning pretty easy. At the moment it seems to work with the small paths meaning I can get to the middle of all beds without wasting much space on paths.

I also use the small beds for fussy crops (parsnips, caulis, sweetcorn) so they are easy to get to being in the centre of the plot.

This year is beans in bed A, roots in bed B, onions in bed C and brassicas in bed D for me.

At the end of the day it is all down to what works for you - it also helps to nose around other peoples plots (I have ideas for a pond and shed shelving because of this!)

Trebor Could you re-attach your plan? I cant seem to open it and its sound like it would be a useful plan for me

Thank you

[mumofstig]

I'm afraid you're unlikely to get a reply as Trebor hasn't been on the forum since  2011.
The plan was posted way back in 2009.