[Gez]

Hi everyone,
I am new to gardening and as yet do not have an allotment plot. However i do have a large concrete slab which goes by the title of ' garden'. I want to grow vegetables and salads outdoors and was told ' raised beds are the answer for you'. Can anyone help by telling me how deep do i need to make them ? What should i be looking to grow in them as a novice ? and what growing medium should i fill them with ? Any other hints, tips and advice will be greatly appreciated.
Yours in anticipation Gez

[DD.]

I'll just say 'welcome' Gez, as I'm not a raised bed expert. I can foresee some problems with having them on concrete, such as depth of soil for deep rooted crops, drainage, lack of worms (you may have to import some!), etc..

I'm sure someone more raised bed savvy will be along soon!

[Celtic Eagle]

CAn you lift the concrete or are you placing the beds on it.

Let's assume you are placing beds / containers on it for now

you need some big and I mean big ex brew buckets 5 gallon come to mind for potatoes some smaller buckets about 2 gallon sort of thing that the florists use for tomatoes peppers etc

Now the beds I reckon you're gonna need at least 9 " deep for salads and short rooted veg so a heavy frame is required old railway sleepers should be OK

The main problem is growing medium any of the peat based or coir based compost are likely to dry out too quick I'd go for a loam based John Innes  no 3  But I'll be honest that is not going to be cheap.

Drainage is likely to be a problem if the containers don't have holes drilled in the bottom.

It can all be done just needs a bit of thinking out first, see what sort of containers you can get hold of, plan your crop sticking to things which have short roots

Should be able to grow

lettuce
beetroot
radish
turnips
spinach
frenckh beans
round carrots can't think what the variety is!
peppers
chillie
spuds go for earlies
carrots in big buckets
onions

Good Luck

[WG.]

round carrots can't think what the variety is!

Parmex  

[DD.]

round carrots can't think what the variety is!

Parmex  

There's no need to be rude, he only forgot the name of them.