Construction of our raised bed veg plot

[EddieJ]

As interest in my raised beds was expressed in another thread, I thought that I would share the construction with you.

With many other projects on the go including restoration of the house, the veg plot project had been left well and truly on the back burner until Feb of this year (2010)

The site was last used for veg approx 20yrs ago, at which time it gradually became overgrown and unused. Approx three years ago, I cut some trees down and the site remained just a complete mess while the house was being done.

This was approx three years ago.



Then two years ago.





And finally the fun begins... Note the lovely British weather. (Feb 2010)





My aim was just to get three beds done this year and the rest next, but I decided that I had to get one project finished as I have so many unfinished ones and home grown veg is quite high on my list of must haves. All of my spare time and much more besides has been spent constructing the plot. I have a hard physically demanding job, so coming home and carrying on again hasn't been easy!

I'm nearly there now, and will go into more detail over the next few days, but this is how it all looked today! The coarse stone is a disaster that I shall talk about next.







Approx May this year



And of course the best bit!!

[EddieJ]

The pathways measure 900mm wide on the outside perimeter and 700mm wide between beds. I wanted to be able to push a wheelbarrow around with ease and no hassle.
The pathway construction consisted of hardcore to fill holes, followed by terram 1000 membrane, a layer of compacted crushed concrete/rubble and to finish, compacted Fittleworth stone.
I used Fittlworth stone last year when I constructed some pathways to the front of the house and ordered 14 cubic metres this week to finish these pathways. The lorry took ten minutes to get in and I didn't watch the stone being tipped out as I was too busy talking to the driver. When I looked around I couldn't believe it, it was the wrong size stone!!!
I have spent just about all week digging out the existing pathways, laying the new stone down then blinding the top with the old stone to get a smooth finish. There is still much to do, but I'm getting there!

14 cubic metres of 'wrong' stone.



4 cubic metres of crushed concrete and hardcore.



The start of the stone shifting. Three barrows with just me doing it, and stupidly I worked out that when finished I will have pushed the wheelbarrows a total distance of approx 20miles!!



wrong stone.



Right stone.



Sadly because of using the wrong stone, my path levels are approx 65mm higher than I had intended.

[EddieJ]

Irrigation for the plot is via six 1000litre IBC's. They are fed from rain water collected from the house roof, and from the tanks, the water goes into a animal water trough. I still have a few things to do it, including fitting a pump to maintain pressure and speed up the filing of the trough, but overall I'm very happy with the set up.

[Thomas W]

Well done Eddie!
I'm guessing you're in the construction business? ;-)

Quite impressive plot you have there. What's the total bed area for vegs?

I'm sure the weeds will stay away from your pathways with that amount of stone on top. Did you ever consider using concrete pavement slabs/tiles for pathways?

I have one tank similar to the ones you have, but I'm worried about bacteria build-up if the water stands still for too long. Any thoughts on that?

Again, very cool project Eddie

[EddieJ]

Hi Thomas,

By trade, I'm an oak timber framer, but did spend several years doing ground work and hard/soft landscaping.

The thoughts behind using the Fittleworth stone were to kind of mirror another project that I am doing out the front of the garden.



I like the soft tones that the stone gives, and as it wears, I can simply top it up again and wack it down.

The total area of the actual beds isn't actually as much as you would think. It is approx 53 metres square. It just go to show how much area was wasted on pathways.

I hadn't actually thought about bacteria in the tanks, but you have prompted me to research the best way to give them a winter clean.

I've been out again this weekend playing, and have constructed three small beds using some Victorian edgings that I have had for approx 25yrs, but never known what to do with them. I was given them long before even buying my first house, and they have moved house to house ever since.

I have planted the outside two with gooseberries, and the centre one is going to have an obelisk and climbing rose.



I have also laid a row of bricks to my 'free' store area, then concreted the floor. The next job is to construct some shelving and perhaps doors to one half.

[vegetable-gardener]

Wow that looks brilliant. What did you use to make the raised beds? We used dung boarding.

[bluebell]

Wow, these look great...if you're not already in the construction business you could definitely earn money, there would definitely be people wanting to hire you, no question ;-)

[EddieJ]

Originally Posted by vegetable-gardener

Wow that looks brilliant. What did you use to make the raised beds? We used dung boarding.

That looks really good. I'm not familiar with dung board, but I do like the profile of it.
It's certainly no five minute job making beds like these is it.
The boards that I used were 200mm x 47mm pressure treated softwood. I then painted them with two lay of a black waterproofing paint. I love the look of it, but it was a mistake from the point of view of time and effort. I wouldn't do it again given the choice.

Originally Posted by bluebell

Wow, these look great...if you're not already in the construction business you could definitely earn money, there would definitely be people wanting to hire you, no question ;-)

I used to do hard and soft landscaping for a living approx 20 or so years ago, and can claim to have Bali awards for work, as well as having work featured in the Times and Telegraph. I get bored very very easily, and once I get good at something, I need to move onto the next challenge.
I have been making these for approx the last ten years, and work solely on my own. Work has been crap for the last two years, and I now need a new challenge, so if anyone has an idea for work or even a job offer, feel free to let me know.





I also make some quite interesting and unique things as a hobby.

[vegetable-gardener]

wow that's beautiful. Have you got a website?

[paulhipwood]

Dear Eddie

Very impressive. Have not started our garden conversion to a veg plot yet; but the chickens are installed and we are waiting for the first egg.
Having lots of thoughts on what material to use for the beds but have not decided on final choice.
We have access to a huge pile of rotted horse manure from our daughters stables. Need to get on with it soon.

Onnce again great post

regards
paul and les