[boldondig]

I am not sure if it is essential - but when starting out with my raised beds I decided to "double dig " - adding a fair bit of compost and manure to the base. I have clay soil at my allotment - the allotment and beds were old and there was definite hard pan at a spades depth- I broke it up with a mattock rather than a fork it was that hard. It was tiring work but I think it is paying dividends now,...

[surbie100]

I am not sure if it is essential - but when starting out with my raised beds I decided to "double dig " - adding a fair bit of compost and manure to the base. I have clay soil at my allotment - the allotment and beds were old and there was definite hard pan at a spades depth- I broke it up with a mattock rather than a fork it was that hard. It was tiring work but I think it is paying dividends now,...

I'm doing that too - though only a couple of beds a year as I am a bit feeble. It makes a massive difference on clay I think. The ones I've done are much better than the ones I haven't/

[snowdrops]

Do you really need raised beds? I agree though that aesthetically they are lovely, but I do wonder the if cost is sometimes worth it. I know some have got free timber. I have divided my plot into 5ft wide beds with paths down the sides but no timber etc. Same results but less costly.

Here's a photo of me giving the rotovator a whirl the other year.

[boldondig]

I agree Snowdrops - when I say raised beds - they have no wooden surround but are raised from the adjoining paths - which I am covering like yours ... The raising comes from adding the compost / manure -

[Beetroot queen]

We have defined beds not really raised but surrounded with boards for several reasons.

It's nice to break the plot up into workable bits, I cleared three beds etc makes you feel good, our beds are small compared to most but we can reach without trouble.
We also barked the paths to enable us to use the plot even in terrible weather.
Also because we have small kids and I was determined not to have to keep saying "your stood on the carrots" it works brilliantly for us and we have laid both plots the same both fruit and veg. The paths need topping up this year but the rest is good still. No problems growing i them at all and they do look pretty.

Sorry that was such a ramble my mind was thinking five things as once and trying to talk to Florence at the same time. 

[carlrmj]

  I built raised beds due to the fact that the site was previousely a  Victorian pig farm, and loads of rubble was

left over in the ground. There are 15 8x4ft beds with 2ft wide paths for a wheel barrow.