[mumofstig]

At the moment across 1 half of my garden, I have 2 -12' x 4' raised beds  with 18" path between them.
I am thinking of taking another 2'-3' off this lawn (still no sign of an allotment ) as the only way to gain a little more growing space.

If I make each bed a foot wider I wouldn't reach the middle
So would I be better off to take up the path across the middle, so that I have one large bed, of 12' x 12' and just use the gaps between rows as my paths? and maybe just walk on boards?
Would this work....what are your ideas, please?

[Paul Plots]

Using the planks as temp paths sounds good to me... that way you can change the size & shape of your planting areas as you wish. Using the boards (if the are not too heavy or too long) will give you access for planing / weeding / watering when and where you want it....

But all of this from someone who has no raised-bed - my soil is fine and I can still bend down so don't need them 

[mumofstig]

I can still bend down so don't need them 

Personally I find it easier to garden 'bottom up' as it were. Kneeling now that's a different matter

[Paul Plots]

Talking of "bed-edges”…..

I ordered a foot-rest for my 95 yr old dad to stop him sliding down in bed as he prefers to sit up slightly to help his breathing. He has already had an electronic adjustable bed, a sloping head-rest and a blanket-rest to keep the covers from resting on his feet. The foot-rest was next on the list of “have to try”.

Fortunately my 90 year old mother has a sense of humour… we wondered how long it would be before Dad had a problem with the foot-rest. (One night – as it was fitted yesterday). Apparently the lambs-wool cover made his feet too warm (as opposed to being too cold!) but he is going to try it out again tonight with a pillow on it!!!

Now there’s talk (from Dad) of investigating a (what is the opposite of “headboard”) to go on the other end of the bed.

All was looking good with the foot-rest until my mum decided the bed-edges were being squashed by the strap to hold the foot-rest in place!! I had visions of the pair of them sliding down and getting their feet stuck under the strap!   

Never a dull moment!  :blink:   You just have to laugh....