[darby]

Hi, I am new to this forum and to allotmenteering.

I have recently taken over a half plot. It is a complete blank canvas at the moment.

Please take a look at my plan and offer any criticisms/suggestions.

BTW the paths are wood chip/bark over landscape fabric and all beds are 1.2m wide.

Many thanks,

Graeme.

[Aunt Sally]

You have a great deal of the plot down to paths.  You can't eat grass 

[darby]

You have a great deal of the plot down to paths.  You can't eat grass 

Thank you for your comments. Would you recommend making the beds wider or add more?

I have read that 1.2m is about right for the width of a bed. Do you agree with this?

Thanks.

[Aunt Sally]

I don't use beds at all.  I just plant over the entire plot and use walking boards (fence gravel boards).  I like to use every inch of space to grow food.  I've bought no veg since early May.  Probably won't need to buy any until about Feb or March.  That's from a plot the same size as yours. 

[Yorkie]

Does look as though there could be a lot more cultivatible (sp?) area if you so wish.

I'd also consider putting the shed etc at the north end of the plot to minimise shade shadows, if possible.

They do recommend no wider than 1.2m or 4' for raised / edged beds to avoid having to walk over them.

[gypsy]

Do you think that you may need space for a greenhouse & a coldframe? Plan now rather than later. Good luck. CC

[Aunt Sally]

I've done a quick calculation and you only have just over 50% of your plot under cultivation for crops.  On the site I'm on you have to have at lease 75%.

[darby]

Thank you for your comments everyone.

Yorkie - I decided to put the shed at the Southern end of my plot so that I don't upset my neighbour by casting all his veg into shade! I plan to have a bench/work area infront of the shed anyway.

Gypsy - I don't think I'll bother with a greenhouse as I have one at home.

I have done a plan using blocks rather than beds, what do you think?

Thanks.

[Aunt Sally]

It's a big work area by the shed.  What work you you plan to do there ?

[darby]

It's a big work area by the shed.  What work you you plan to do there ?

erm, I dont know really. 

[Aunt Sally]

    All you need is somewhere to sit and eat your lunch and have a cuppa.

[Rangerkris]

  All you need is somewhere to sit and eat your lunch and have a cuppa.

LOL Or a beer that always goes down well.

[birmancats]

Wow, like the programme.  I'd shift the bench and put more beds in myself.  Paths only have to be 2ft wide.

I've 10 beds, 12ft by 4ft covering 2/3rds of my plot and plan to put more in over winter.  Bed part of the plot always looks so much neater. 

You can ignore the distances between rows too, I get loads and  loads out of mine.  I'm sure I don't lose much room overall. 

Good luck with it from a raised bed fan!

[Rangerkris]

After a beer you dont care about paths hahahahah

[darby]

OK,

New design with huge beds and 40cm paths. Just over 70% of the plot used for cultivation now with room to possibly expand into the area in front of the shed in future.

Don't know what to do about the area in front of the shed right now - may play it by ear. 

Thanks for the pointers everyone