Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: Stuppla1 on January 16, 2012, 15:50

Title: Foundation for raised beds
Post by: Stuppla1 on January 16, 2012, 15:50
I have an area behind some stables that I want to use for growing veg. It has been cleared of trees brambles etc but digging all the roots out seems to be impossible. I have some scaffold boards and am intending to create some raised beds two planks deep.

Would it be a good idea to put something like visqueen  or weed control mat down in the bottom before putting the topsoil in?
Title: Re: Foundation for raised beds
Post by: bazh on January 16, 2012, 19:25
I'd really try and get the bramble roots out, the tree roots will rot over time though try hacking them with an axe it'll speed up the rotting, at 2 planks deep I wouldn't bother with putting weed control down.
Title: Re: Foundation for raised beds
Post by: sonnycbr on January 16, 2012, 20:28
How big are the raised beds? I'd say that if they're not too large, it would be worthwhile having another go at root removal.The last thing you want is to get the beds full of soil and have a bramble invasion.  :ohmy:
Title: Re: Foundation for raised beds
Post by: Stuppla1 on January 17, 2012, 18:27
4 beds, 4ft by 8ft by 1 ft deep. The area previously had 20 years worth of brambles, nettles and ivy, how far down might the roots go?
Title: Re: Foundation for raised beds
Post by: bazh on January 17, 2012, 19:01
I thought they would be deeper than that at 2 planks deep? At only a foot I'd try my hardest to make the ground underneath perennial weed free. You'll thank yourself in the long run. 
Title: Re: Foundation for raised beds
Post by: seedman on January 17, 2012, 19:51
Hi have a look at this link it gives advise on non chemical and chemical control hope it may save you some time  :) http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/Profile.aspx?pid=256