[Yana]

I never thought I would runout of ideas but this one has got me stumped.
I started with a half plot and then had the chance of a further half but at the furthest end away from the first half as is possible. No worries, just happy to be offered it so decided to make it the fruit plot with permanent planting of strawberries, goosers, rhubarb, raspberries, blackcurrants and an enclosed comfrey bed (in a box made from half size pallets). All good so far.........
However ........ I built four raised beds (1.2M wide X 1.2 M long X 60cm high) and have been filling them with manure, green and brown waste and compost. Last year was the first year I grew in them and had pumpkins and squash trailing down the sides and planted perpetual spinach in the 'middle'.
I would like to continue the theme of permanent planting but don't know what would be suitable. It doesn't have to be fruit. I thought of artichokes, but they would be too tall given they would be 60cm off the ground to start with. Then I thought of asparagus, but not sure if this would work? I did plan an asparagus bed and had it prepared but the crowns were delayed being deliveed and in the meantime I had been tempted with the Blackmoor offer of Blackcurrant bushes.
So there you have it, four areas ready and waiting and I don't know what to plant. 

[Beetroot queen]

We have defined beds on our plots, one is completely fruit and the other veg. It's so much easier now as the bottom one we are on a slope takes a lot less work.

We currently have gooseberry, strawberry normal and alpine, sloes, tayberry, redcurrant, blackcurrant, raspberries, blueberries, comfrey in one small patch. Pear tree, mountain cranberry. What was the original question got carried away. 

[nobby]

fresh asparagus is one of my faveret crops. it may take some time untill it can be harvested but the work is well werth it

[snowdrops]

A herb bed might be a good alternative, or some flowers for cutting,Asparagus would be good.

[Yorkie]

Just a comment on the filling for the raised beds - if it's going to be permanent planting, I would make sure that you put some soil-based stuff in there, not just compost or manure.  These rot down quickly and don't retain nutrients as well as soil does.

[Yana]

Thanks for your suggestions and comments everyone, particularly the need for soil Yorkie. I'll top the beds up before I do any planting.

[snowdrops]

Just a comment on the filling for the raised beds - if it's going to be permanent planting, I would make sure that you put some soil-based stuff in there, not just compost or manure.  These rot down quickly and don't retain nutrients as well as soil does.

Yes that's true. Also if you do do herbs,remember they don't like rich soil,they thrive in poor undernourished soil.

[compostqueen]

Why has it got to be permanent plantings only?  It just seems limiting when you don't need to be.  Fruit bushes need plenty of room so I wouldn't do those in raised beds, nor rhubarb or asparagus.  Not being critical of you here at all, just thinking of best use of the raised bed space which is what we're on with 

Thinking along the herbs route, sage can get far too big but thymes are well behaved plants and will attract bees and give you loads for the pot    Two more short lived perennial but delicious herbs are French tarragon and lemon verbena. There are also some compact rosemarys.  Sorrel is perennial and is upright in its habit, makes lovely leaf for the salad bowl and a lemony sauce. 

We're on a roll now ......

[savbo]

Globe artichoke is a good perennial...we have a bed a similar size with one big plant in, did quite well for chokes last year

sav

[Yana]

Why has it got to be permanent plantings only?  It just seems limiting when you don't need to be.  Fruit bushes need plenty of room so I wouldn't do those in raised beds, nor rhubarb or asparagus.  Not being critical of you here at all, just thinking of best use of the raised bed space which is what we're on with 

Thinking along the herbs route, sage can get far too big but thymes are well behaved plants and will attract bees and give you loads for the pot    Two more short lived perennial but delicious herbs are French tarragon and lemon verbena. There are also some compact rosemarys.  Sorrel is perennial and is upright in its habit, makes lovely leaf for the salad bowl and a lemony sauce. 

We're on a roll now ......

I thought of permanent planting CQ because of the distance between the two plots.

I am really liking the herb ideas. I don't have any herbs and that would not only solve that problem, but would look nice too.

[compostqueen]

Yes, I get your drift 

Mind you if you plant herbs in it you'll spend plenty of time there as they need to be picked little and often for cooking.

Chives! Garlic and ordinary. Small, well-behaved plants    Chives seem to remain in good condition year on year

[snowdrops]

Glad to be of use  With that space available you would be able to have a really good variety of herbs. Raised beds would allow good drainage which would be good for herbs. Just remember that they don't need good soil.

[Yana]

The herb idea is a double bonus in that they are permanent and as noted by CQ they need picking little and often so it will mean I go to that part of the plot regularly but not necessarily need to take tools and other stuff (i dont have a shed there). Last year I grew pumpkins and let them trail over the top of the bed which was Ok but as the plot is a bit secluded, my best one was stolen. The fruit was in its infancy so nothing lost there. This year might be different so the herb idea is brilliant.
Thanks everyone. 

[snowdrops]

You could also have a bee friendly plot of flowers.