"no dig" raised vegetable garden

twinkletoes

Hi there,

I really want to start a vegetable garden and will definitely do a "raised bed" type..would like to know if anyone has tried the method of layering it with newspaper first then compost, straw, garden soil, sand etc...finaling adding layer of newspaper and letting it all decompose for a while and then start planting??
Found this method on the web..australian site I think...just wondering if anyone has done anything similar here..thanks.

pjq

I'm a clay and cow-dung man meself . But seriously , don't add sand unless the soil is sticky clay and in need of drainage , why go to the bother of straw ( cow-dung by all means, but not for carrots etc.) , it will only turn into a little compost . Unless you are waterlogged , raising the bed too much will only mean it will dry out in summer .Try http://www.rhs.org.uk/ for tips that might relate more to the climate we share with uk .
pjq

twinkletoes

Hi pjq,

thanks for your reply..I do actually have very wet clay soil with stones!!(lovely!)which is why I'm thinking of raised bed option with sand etc...also its supposed to be virtually weed free...but the jury is still out!

old boy

amazon.com, the gardening book section has many books on this subject, no need to buy the books just print the reviews

artieanna

The best thing to do is have a go!

Raise your bed by about one and a half foot roughly, railway sleepers are great for around the edges. instead of going through the layering process which will take quite awhile to break down into compost, just add some bagged compost and sand to the bed (to improve the quality and soakage of your clay) and you can start sowing now.

Make sure you have enough room to sow what you want, you may need a few raised beds.

trust me you'll soon be addicted;)

and you'll learn from every sucess and failure in the garden

NextSteps

I think there is a problem with railway sleepers being treated with creosote, which shouldn't be near people or edible plants. Someone else might know better, but you should investigate this before you start.

Aeneas

I agree about the creosote problem with railway sleepers. I originally created some beds with these and have now replaced them with plain untreated timber boards. They will rot in time but it is better than having poisoned veg. I also agree that the "Australian" layering is probably unnecessary and will take some time to break down. It was most likely designed for a hot climate where water retention is more difficult than here. In my own case I mixed manure, compost and moss peat into the soil to create my beds, and planted them up straight away. You could put a layer of newspaper deep down under the soil/compost mixture. Beds are a good way to go. No digging after the first preparation. I have a total of 25 and it just takes a day or two to fork them over and remove weeds in late winter before sowing starts in spring.

artieanna

Gosh I didn't know that about the cresote and the railway sleepers:o , its good to know guys, I thought they'd be ideal as I've seen them used in a few gardens.....thanks for that;)

twinkletoes

thanks for all the replies everyone...didnt know that about railway sleepers either! ...but luckily we have old wood lying around that we were going to use anyway.

pjq

Even if the newspapers don't help with the weed issue , the better drainage and compost will help a lot .
If you hoe wet sticky soil , you only move the weed+roots+clump of soil . But if you have good soil , the roots loose their clump of soil , the soil also breaks up ( even when wet ) and between May and Sept all you then need after hoeing is an hour or two of summer sun to fry the soil-less weed and dry out the top 5mm of soil and kill any germinating weeds .
pjq

Aeneas

If you have'nt created raised beds before here are some tips based on my own experience.
1. Unless you are going for a decorative effect, eg a French style potager, it is best to keep the beds rectangular in shape
2. It is better to have narrower beds than wide ones. About four feet wide is the maximum. Length can vary but if they are too long, say beyond 14 feet or so, the temptation is to walk on them rather than walk around them. My original beds were 6ft wide and I wound up remaking them all. At four feet you can reach the middle without walking on the bed.
3. Try to have all the beds the same size. This greatly facilitates planning, sowing, crop rotation and the use of nets, fleece etc which you will need if you are growing carrots or members of the cabbage family.
4. Paths should be about 2ft wide but leave one wider so that you can get a wheelbarrow close to most of the beds. You will need this for bringing in compost, manure etc and for cleaning out the beds at the end of the season.
5. I would avoid grass paths. They get weedy and are difficult to mow. They also get mucky and slippy in wet weather. If you do go for grass make sure your mower can get down the path. Cheap alternatives are beaten earth - no mowing but also gets weedy and mucky. Earth covered with bark. Or gravel. I opted for gravel in the end after trying the alternatives.
6. Best to edge the beds with timber than to try hedging eg box, lavander. These get too big and encroach on growing space. They also harbour slugs, snails etc.
7. Seed companies have not caught up with the fact that many people grow their veg in beds rather than rows. Packet instructions are generally for the old drill and row method. In beds you grow most veg at equal distances from each other. Some books like Larkcom's Grow Your Own Vegetables give distances for beds.
8. I find it best to germinate most seeds (exceptions are carrots, parsnips, beetroot, white turnip) in compost in peat modules under a pane of glass. Once the plants are an inch or so high and the roots are coming through the sides of the module you bury the module in the bed. The use of compost helps the plants off to a good start and growing in modules helps prevent damage at the early stages from slugs, birds etc.
9. Some plants like peas and beans can be covered with the bottom of a 2 litre plastic bottle which acts as a kind of mini greenhouse. It prevents mice from eating the seeds, slugs from getting at the shoots and bird from pecking at the young leaves.
10. Experience and practice will show how much you need to sow of each veg. Some plants like lettuce, radishes, spring onions, beetroot are best sown successionally for a continuous supply - a few plants at a time. The next lot can be sown when the first lot have reached and inch or two in height. Otherwise you risk a glut. Veg like onions, shallots, parsnips, peas, broad beans need to be sown all at the same time.
11. Most plants can be started off in March but leave sowing tender plants like outdoor cucumber, courgette, French beans, runner beans until later in the season.
Most of all enjoy the fresh veg.

twinkletoes

Thanks so much for all your great replies..they have been a huge help...I will be making my beds next week...I wont be going for the "australian" method...I am getting some good soil/manure from my inlaws for my raised beds instead!! Cant wait...:)..

DMcG23

Hi there,

I too am trying to set up a raised vegetable bed. One to start with and see how it goes. The size will be 8ft * 4 ft and 14" high, of 1" boards. How do I calculate the approx weight of top soil that I'll need to purchase to file the bed? I see 1 tonne bags for sale, but how many will I need?

Thanks

D.

firesidechat

weight value does not come in to play here,capacity is what you are looking for.
Which is heavier a tonne of lead or a tonne of feathers?
4ftx8ft You'r talking 32sqft based on going 1ft high with you'r soil.
I think one tonne would be more than enough ,and remember if you were to find yourself a little short you can always add some stones to the bottom which will also increase drainage.
Happy gardening..:)

DMcG23

Thanks a mil.

D.

Vodkat

My mom was a big gardener until 2006 when she was diagnosed with M.S, since then she has been unable to enjoy planting, sowing and weeding. We have a large unused area in our garden approx 25x40ft. We have recently paved this area and as a surprise for my mom, I am (with the help of my boyfriend) going making raised vegetable beds. I have looked into making these and have decided to use scaffolding planks as they are inexpensive. I have calculated that i will need 27 planks to make 3 beds. I have a budget for the planks of about €120 including delivery. I have looked on lots of websites but cant seem to find used planks within my budget. If you have any or know someone who can help me please pm me. ASAP!! Thanks

twinkletoes

Hi vodkat,
Sounds like a wonderful thing to do for your mam, I wish you every success...my beds were a much smaller project we just made them from left over planks of wood from when we built our house...do you know anyone that might have left over wood like that?..sorry I cant be of more help.all the best with it.

martic

Vodkat wrote: »

I have looked into making these and have decided to use scaffolding planks as they are inexpensive. I have calculated that i will need 27 planks to make 3 beds. I have a budget for the planks of about €120 including delivery. I have looked on lots of websites but cant seem to find used planks within my budget. If you have any or know someone who can help me please pm me. ASAP!! Thanks

Hi Vodkat,
I have just completed a project like you are intending to do and I used scaffolding boards for the raised beds, I live in Donegal and was able to buy 26 good quality used boards for 40 euro.What you can see in the picture took 12 boards.

davenewt

I'm also looking to create some raised beds using scaffold planks.

Some good tips there Aeneas, thanks. Was doing my head in trying to decide on widths of beds and widths/material for paths

Vodkat - I was also hoping to create some raised beds using scaffold planks. Depending on your location, call some builders' suppliers like Heiton Buckley. I've heard with the current economic climate, you should be able to pick them up cheap enough these days. Let me know if you find any bargains!

yop

martic wrote: »

Hi Vodkat,
I have just completed a project like you are intending to do and I used scaffolding boards for the raised beds, I live in Donegal and was able to buy 26 good quality used boards for 40 euro.What you can see in the picture took 12 boards.

Great information there folks, thanks very much.

I have 12 sleepers so now it seems I can't use these! I spotted this on net so was going down this route

Ah well so its time to find some scaffolding planks in Mayo!

I have very fast draining site, so I wonder if I should put heavy duty plastic under the bed before I add the soil?

thanks very much

martic

Heavy duty plastic might trap the water in heavy rain and could flood the bed, maybe a layer of garden membrane under the bed would slow down the drainage but not stop it (im a beginner thinking out loud )
If its ok with the Mods to post this link its a good gardening site.
http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/

Vodkat

MARTIC: That sounds like a bargain, fair play. They came out amazingly I was hoping to get mine slightly taller and to leave a 3ft gap in between each bed for the wheelbarrow and wheelchair.

Davenewt: I will look into that tomorrow and see. I dont know any building suppliers in my area and thought they would be overpriced. I'm going to get my brother to call around a few places, thanks!!

YOP: Sleepers would be my main choice but i looked into using them and found that it was €20 to buy just one!!! Dont waste any more money... use the sleepers. They are more attractive and NEVER rot. Be sure to line the inside as they are sprayed with chemicals and they can damage crops. Heres a lovely idea i found...
Go to www.sportingsurfacesupplies.com and go the the landscaping section and you will see the railway sleepers part. Just some inspiration!!!

Hope this helps guys.... and thanks for your replies!!

yop

Vodkat wrote: »

MARTIC: That sounds like a bargain, fair play. They came out amazingly I was hoping to get mine slightly taller and to leave a 3ft gap in between each bed for the wheelbarrow and wheelchair.

Davenewt: I will look into that tomorrow and see. I dont know any building suppliers in my area and thought they would be overpriced. I'm going to get my brother to call around a few places, thanks!!

YOP: Sleepers would be my main choice but i looked into using them and found that it was €20 to buy just one!!! Dont waste any more money... use the sleepers. They are more attractive and NEVER rot. Be sure to line the inside as they are sprayed with chemicals and they can damage crops. Heres a lovely idea i found...
Go to www.sportingsurfacesupplies.com and go the the landscaping section and you will see the railway sleepers part. Just some inspiration!!!

Hope this helps guys.... and thanks for your replies!!

Great job, thanks for that.

Vodkat

Hi guys, Just organised the planks. Got 27 of them for €50 including delivery (second hand obviously). So delighted cant wait to get started!! They should be around 3ft high, 8ft long, 4ft wide and im making 3 boxes. Any tips on what vegetables to plant together. Or just general tips??
Will post a picture when they are completed!!!:D:D

oneill787

For raised vegetable beds visit www.raisedvegbeds.ie

paddy147

oneill787 wrote: »

For raised vegetable beds visit www..ie

400 euro for a raised veggie bed,who the fcuk are you kidding or trying to ripp off,??

Please,give me a break,and at those stupid prices.:rolleyes:


Dont get ripped off by those prices and instead get 2 x 8 foot lengths of scaffold board for 6 euro.
Also get 2 x 4 foot lengths of scaffold board at 4 euro


A box of 100mm long wood screws for 3-4 euro,10-15 minutes of your own time to put it together,and there you go.


A perfectly good 8 x 4 raised veg bed for under 15 euro.

Scaffold board is 8 feet long or 4 feet long.Its 2.5 inches thick and its 9 inches in height.It will last a lifetime,more or less.

nophd08

But Paddy... They are fitted by QUALIFIED carpenters, and.....come with soil:D:D:D:D

paddy147

nophd08 wrote: »

But Paddy... They are fitted by QUALIFIED carpenters, and.....come with soil:D:D:D:D

PMSL at that.:D:D

Sounds more like its being sold and fitted by the IMF at those prices FFS.:rolleyes::pac:

blerkweed

Hi vodkat, where did you get your boards, I need some too and that sounds like a good price.