What size beds?

Congratulations Gaz.  Bumper crops are forecast

Why not just split it into 4 equal squares? this way your crop rotation is easy.

If i had complete flexibility from the start (mine were already raised) I'd go for long thin beds with 1 metre between for paths and wheelbarrow access.

Approx 4ft wide would be sufficient or as far as you can reach from either side.  Just pace it, mark out and dig it up.

I'll be re- doing my beds in this way next year to allow for better access.  Mine were laid out far too large.

Mine are all 4' wide and vary between 12' and 16', being 4' wide means you don't have to walk on them and compact the soil. Less digging next year I hope    My paths are about 18" wide.

I was torn between the idea of loads of beds at 10ft x 4ft (well over 30 beds) - downside being lots of paths, meaning loosing growing space

or

about 8 really big beds - more growing space, but needing planks to cross the beds all the time - plus a long way to walk round all the time

or

about 16 beds at 12ft x 10ft - still need planks, but less walking aound


Still not sure - they all have thier good and bad sides  :roll:

Why not go minimum beds with max growing area and try this for this year, then if you find any probs try a different one next year, what is good for one might not suit another, Harry next to me has a lovely raised bed plot but sometimes struggles on his rotation and his yield is lower than mine but as there is just him and his wife he dont need masses of veg where as I need more food as more mouths to feed so I have 2 beds with path down the middle and a plank of wood.