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Great suggestions! I like the idea of covering up the beds with the nets and tubing. I’m about to start my first garden this week. In the planing stages!
I added raised beds to my quarter plot as I decided to use the square foot gardening method. It's been an absolute time saver! Very few weeds even after a month in self isolation and not being able to get to the plot. So far it's the best decision I've made. Absolutely love watching your videos, they brighten my day. Thank you xx
Currently installing raised beds on a 5th allotment: Wish I'd known not to do it in the nice weather and put it off till it was windy and rainy. Fascinated to see you still use feet and inches up in the North, down here in the Midlands I've settled for beds 3m x 1.2m, able to reach the middle from both sides and not too long that you get bored walking round them and try to step over them. You and Charles Dowding - way to go man!
I've followed the older members of my allotment & gone with 1 path down the centre & 2 cultivated areas 1 on each side & that works for me,, but i am planning to go to raised beds in the future,, to try & make it easier in my old age!!.
I started gardening with my parents when I was small and they used the in ground method. After they passed I could never seem to keep up with the garden until I went to raised beds. I have 17 raised beds and a poly/greenhouse and have fallen in love with gardening .
Great video mate, I'm starting gardening as a hobby this year and these tips will come in very useful. Looks like you live in the same area as me so seeing your garden gives me an idea at what to aim for, for this climate
I have never done any but raised beds, troughs, tubs etc with no-dig. This is a great video for all the practical advise, with the orientation of long beds and the size of beds for working and harvesting as most importanto,so glad you talk about that. I am setting up a new garden from scratch and so far have 6 of the corrugated metal raised beds 12" deep and 3x4 feet, I live in Washington and wood rots so these will last 'forever' am very happy so far and I found 24" paths to be perfect between beds. Well done on sharing you info.!!
great advice as always. Ilook at row spaces as room to kneel in path to work if there lowbeds. Also dont forget raised beds like Cherles Dowdings without sides , the compost stays together when you dont dig them and they end up about 6in or more higher than pathways. Love the videos
Hello Tony as a newbie gardener I felt this was most helpful and informative video most appreciated! I took notes! Lol seriously however I will be able to use in the future if I get a wee plot, at present just able to container gardening! Ontario Canada 🐝
I’ve had my plot for a year and I’m planning on going to raise beds during the winter, early spring next year. I so glad I found this video it gave me some good points to think about, will have to go back to my plans 😂😂
I have two 1m x 2m recycled plastic raised beds that I'm going to be replacing with four 4' x 6' wooden ones over the course of this summer. I definitely did not make a wide enough path between the old ones - lesson learned! I do think that if you don't have a lot growing atm, July is actually a good time to set up a raised bed, as there are so any autumn and winter crops that can go in the ground in August or later. I'm about to sow spring cabbage, kale, chinese broccoli and winter salads in modules, and of course I'll be planting garlic in October 😃
A portion of my garden is going to be raised beds and a portion will be tilled soil. The plan with the raised beds, and I've already built 2 of them, is to create 3 beds 4x8 at 2 feet tall. I'm using cedar to frame out the whole project with 1x4 fence slats screwed to a 2x4 skeleton (too bad I can't post pictures). I will also be building 3 4x6 beds, again 2 foot tall, in a row just north of the original 4x8 beds to create a sort of M design. In order to reduce the pressure against the slats I will be trying out a layered gardening called hugelkulture where I will be chopping up some tree trunks into 1/4 section and putting those on the bottom of each bed, layering sticks and leaves above that and then the last 12 - 18 inches will be a raised bed mix of soil. The idea is that as the wood and sticks are rotting they are putting nutrients in the soil, adding worms to keep the soil easy to work with, etc. I will also be putting 3 foot wide mulch pathways between the boxes so I will be able to access the gardens from all sides. Along with other projects I am doing I hope to have all of the beds built by next spring so I can start growing.
We use raised beds, like you we painted the wood, we actually use scaffolding boards. They lasted about 8 years, they rotted through at the height of the path. We are gradually replacing them, and rearranging the layout. But this time although we are using scaffolding boards again we are wrapping them in plastic.
I found plastic decking planks down at B&Q, I used 6 of those and 1 pressure treated decking joist to build a 4 ft by 8ft bed, 2 planks tall. Non rotting bed, I may have to replace the corner posts in a few years though.
Thank you I have just started my bed's this year and I seem to be on your trackt am just feeling my way I will be watching you for more tips, I'm in mid Scotland so I hope our weather is roughly the same 😁got potatoes and lettuce sringonion cabbage and carrots on the go here's hoping I'll get something 😉
I haven't got raised beds. But I must agree my soil is about 4 to 5 foot wide. So I have to.stand on the soil, the tips in this video are great. I wanna do a raised bed so this will help alot
Hi Tony . some good advice, buildt a raised bed with grandson, but i think i went over the top with to much veg, it is south facing but everything has gone mad, beans toms corgettes coli brocoli beetroot and sweet corn a bumper harvest if weather holds grand son loves it.
To contain the potato foliage I placed 3 bits of wood along the edge of the bed with holes drilled at 6 inches above the ground and again at 12, string was put between these, it holds the foliage off the ground meaning I could still use the path as normal
Hi Tony, one of the issues with raised beds is that people think the level of soil/compost has to be raised at the beginning. Year by year as plant roots decay and mulch is added, the level will grow. If you don't have enough good compost or well rotted manure, just grow with what you have. Adding stones, rubble and weedy soil will give the right look but be a nuisance in the long run. I have 4 raised beds, concrete gavel boards and cut down concrete fence posts, 6ft x 3ft. I can stand on the edges for access to high things but fixing frames for climbers and brassica cages is not easy. Also raised beds add to the height of your crop. In windy situations your 6ft runner beans are 7ft above the path and get that much more wind. It also makes tying on and picking more precarious. As you haven't fluffed up the compost in no dig, the soil structure can stand your weight and putting a foot on it is not deleterious. It is the corners that you have to get your wheelbarrow around that is difficult to visualise. Thanks for a thought provoking video Tony.
I will be making one bed at a time starting this year. The first bed I am not rushing since I plan to use it for pumpkins. I have heard you can use hedge trimmings to fill up the bottom part of the bed so I wouldn't have to spend too much filling it. Going to give it a try anyway. I favour trying to use sleepers to make the bed, IF I can cut them.
Some great advice Tony, thank you. Your channel inspired me to build my own raised beds as a lockdown project. I fear I fell for the poor soil mistake though as I had about 2m3 of topsoil I wanted to put to use. Growing well at the moment but perhaps will remove a good few inches in winter and replace with some quality compost/well rotted manure. Keep up the great work.
Totally agree Tony, I have raised beds and no dig and mulch is needed so weeds don't get on top of you.I also have orchard that I grow in no raised beds there. It's harder to keep.I do think when you are weeding you are inclined to get all bed done.
Hope you had a good birthday Tony. I have now 4 raised beds I love them but I'm struggling to find a soil conditioner here in the states. Maybe your American viewers can help me.
in our UK wet climate plastic beds may be better than metal or wood... it is just my personal opinion, not from experience yet - but deduction - plastic is less sensitive to wet whether than metal or wood. I find your advice very helpful and I love your rised beds garden, hope to achieve something like that in future...
Found your channel about a month ago and currently binge watching from the begining. Out garden is currently in transition from a lawn to slabbed and I'm collecting pallets to make three raised beds (3' x 14' x 2'10"). But I've got a problem... Jenny (OH) has got me to build a small raised herb harden near the back door with some of the pallet wood and now she also wants me to build a raised bed for her. Going for raised beds as we have 4 little Shih-Tzu's and the sil is rubbish anyway as it's mostly cayand we get flooded out when it rains as were on the edge of a flood plain. p.s. Jenny loves your laugh :-)
Watched this whilst building mine, only to hear that any wood less than 1.5” thick will rot away - mine is a flat packed one with wood less than an inch thick! 😩😩😩 Hopefully with some wood treatment, it will do for this season 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
Thanks for the vid mate, and some good points made for me to consider. I am now 61 and just about to make some raised beds in the garden. However I anticipate tending them into my more senior years when I may not be so agile. In fact I already suffer with arthritis to an extent. So I'm thinking of making them a bit higher than I see your are purely for access reasons. What are your thoughts on this and how high would you recommend?
Hi Tony, stumbled across your vid and found this to be a very informative video. Having recently moved up to Rothbury, yes I too live up in the North East of England. I decided to build a raised bed garden and I'm loving it. I'm brand new to veg growing so have a lot to learn, but super keen. I have subscribed to your channel, but can I ask if you have done any vids on hoops and netting. I have three cats living next door so keen to keep them out of my beds. 😆 keep up the good work.
Oh yes! Welcome Steve…. My advice - go for simple quick and easy. Use blue waterpipe and scaffolding netting all on Amazon or eBay. Just look at mine on latest video. And Rothbury is a love rural town🌈👍
My raised beds are 1.2m by 2.4m it means I can reach nicely! It means I can fit in the maximum number of beds on the plot. I have also gone no dig, and I mulch!
🏴 hi Tony, great timing and great content. I took over an allotment in April and my plan is to convert it all to raised beds come the end of the season/autumn. The look of your allotment is a true inspiration 👍👍 Best wishes Steve
This has been really helpful , as planning to do raised beds next year. I have planned out already the design of the raised bed , may I ask though , would I be able to line the base with some weed control, before placing soil etc on top ? Thanx
Off topic to this video as I was catching up on your last few videos in one go, but did you snap your rhubarb stalks at the base rather than pull them? It’s important to pull them and not snap them at the base, so you pull the little pink root of the stem at the same time, else you risk the left part of the root stalk rotting the crown. Hope the sneaky wee birthday crumble went down a treat.
I use raised beds and no dig and wouldn't look back. I do the 'reach test' to determine the size of mine. I reach to the middle from both sides to make sure I can comfortably get to the middle. Raised beds are also really manageable. If you've only got half an hour you'll be surprised at how many you can weed and it feels like you've achieved something.
Well I have little option. North east coast with north facing garden. I have to put the bed where it gets the .ost of the sun and hope for the best. I cant put it in fro nt garden, in full view of r roadside, neighbourhood is middle britain. Not doeable. Thank you for your tips and advice.
raised beds were the best thing i ever did when i had the plot. 20 inches to be precise. sounds excessive but an ideal way to get rid of waste wood from around the plot, to use up wood chips, even the waste foliage from any harvesting. i wasn't to know i would lose a leg 3 years ago. the height was ideal to work from my mobility scooter. the path to my plot ended up overgrown so i gave the plot up. i now live in a purpose built bungalow with a reasonable garden and incorporated a polytunnel. i might not have the deep beds any more but i still grow in pots. adapt and overcome i say...................brian
Hi Tony thanks for advice re raised beds. Just taken over an allotment and I have some 4x3ft euro pallet s to make my raised beds. Have not got a stock of organic compost on hand Q whats best to buy to fill them - want to do 'no dig' and Q have inherited a shredder/chipper -whats best to shred to use as mulch or to use on compost heap
Tony how are you??? this video is sooooo informative its what we want from you constructive gardening for the everyman not many channels are half as good as yours with your knowledge and your abaptation to how not to make the same mistakes a conglomeration of how to garden for the average pocket and map out your backyard (garden),,,, i think we have a sponsor bonny-lad,,,Just need a title and style email you Tony seeya ,,,Ed
I hear so often 3:17 If you live on a north facing slope it's made to sound like you may as well forget it. Depending on your latitude, it's more about available sunlight IMO. Consider shade, available sunlight, and plant accordingly. That includes location of the bed, and choosing some plantings that can tolerate some shade. Not everything requires full sunlight all day.
Yes, my garden is north of my house but my raised beds are nowhere near the house and are in full sun and not shade, so to a degree, wether it’s north or south facing shouldn’t matter…
Tony, I see you have those little green eye savers on top of the poles around your peas. Do you remember where you got them and their exact name? Thanks
In case Tony misses this, they’re generally called cane toppers. Most garden centres have them or Amazon, eBay. Or make your own with corks, ping pong balls etc.
Hi Tony. Just in the planning stage of building three raised beds on part of our back lawn. Have the timber ready in the garage and hope to start building in early Jan. Recently retired so this is a project I have always wanted to do but have never had the time. Watched two of your videos and found them both really interesting. The timber I am using, the size and design is very much like yours. Approx 8 x4 x 10 inches high. Using treated wood like yours but I see you also painted on your own as well. What sort would you recommend and is it really necessary? I also intend using 2 x 2 supports in the corners and at the half way point on the longer sides. Not something you did so worth doing or not? What do you think? I also intended leaving about 6 inches and pointed end on each support to sink in to ground. I thought this would help with supporting sides a bit but I see when you were building yours you sawed them off flush. Is this something you thought of doing? Would be interested in your thoughts. Have subscribed to watch other videos and will give a big thumbs up. Have a great Christmas. Trevor.
Tony, Joe Mills just had his allotment vandalized by someone splashing paint all over it! All the plants not the raised beds or shed. Keep an eye on your plot, they may be going after you tubers. Of course he’s devastated, a whole years worth of work down the tubes. Take care.