[puravida]

planning the plot out for about the 38th time and can't decide on bed size so thought I'd put it to the vote!!

What do you recommend? And why??

[RichardA]

Mixture of the lot -- I had  a lot of paving slabs to make paths between beds from but also fixed points such as greenhouse, garage and raspberry cane supports to contend with so basically I laid whole lot out just to avoid cutting slabs. mostly 4 foot (1200) wide but some upto 5 foot (1500). I am over 6 foot two so reach is not an issue. Some at 3 foot'ish at ends (900 to 1000'ish)
P.S. I always garden in imperial units as the veg tastes so much better in imperial and I always have at least two lots of one foot measures out with me which are never lost unlike my tape!!!!!!!!.

[penance]

We talking legth or width?

[puravida]

Sorry. Width!!
Planning 4m length throughout

[RichardA]

I was talking width and assumed that was how the question was set.
R

[mumofstig]

Surely rotations between beds is more difficult if thet're all different sizes? just a thought....

[DD.]

Beds?    

[penance]

I'd go 1 or 1.2, that way you can reach the middle from either side.

[RichardA]

Fully agree but must admit I am a bit bad at avoiding treading on my beds and I did not stick to 1 to 1.2 metre width perhaps because they are not truly raised beds just narrow ones between good paths and my other garden comprises several traditional large open plots 6 metres wide and about 8 metres long so through the day and across my year's rotations I use and work on variety of shapes and layouts.
R

[puravida]

I had it all planned at 1.2m - but then everything like weed fabric etc is sold in 1m or 1.5m wide strips.

Made me wonder - is 1m a little too narrow or perfectly acceptable?
1.5 seems a little wide to be able to reach the middle for sure!

[woodburner]

I had it all planned at 1.2m - but then everything like weed fabric etc is sold in 1m or 1.5m wide strips.

Made me wonder - is 1m a little too narrow or perfectly acceptable?
1.5 seems a little wide to be able to reach the middle for sure!

I guess I've been lucky last year then, as most of what I've seen has been 1.2m. I wouldn't have minded 1.5 as it would be handy to have a bit extra for fleece it would be good to be able to rise a bit, for mulching sheet it could overlap/cover the path as well.

My beds are all 1.2m wide but length is a bit variable. On the lottie they are all going to be 1.2 x 4m except for the permanent beds, which will be all sorts of shapes and sizes. For me, the advantage of making them all the same size is that I am going to make frames to cover with plastic, rubble netting, and fleece, and with the beds all the same size I can move the frames around with the appropriate crops.  

The higher the bed to path ratio the better but some people have longer arms some shorter. The ideal width is found by crouching down (or kneeling if you prefer) and reaching forward and touching the ground, then measure the distance from the toes of your boots (or the front of your knees) to your finger tips and double it.  People with long arms have an advantage here.  

[Trillium]

As long as you can easily reach halfway into the raised bed without falling in, that is what's wide enough. If you're a tall bloke, then 1.5 might suit you better. I have short arms and 1.2 suits me better and is a pretty common size for raised beds. Length can be anything you like but if too long then you've a long walk to get to the other side quickly. Recommended bed lengths are 4' - 8'.

Its not a fixed in stone size, only what works for you, and since supplies you want come in specific sizes, then that's your answer.

[woodburner]

D'oh! That's pretty much what I edited in.

[Trillium]

You sneaky devil  

[lobot]

I've found that 1.2m is about as wide as I can reach without overstretching.  Any wider and I end up accidentally trampling any crops on the edge.