when to build a new raised bed

nozzy6

Currently I have some veg in a few pots scattered around and I was planning on building a raised bed for next year, but since I've been reading various books and on here I'm itching to get cracking asap! If I was to build it over the next few weekends I guess I'd be too late to grow anything in it this year? Would I be best building it and getting some manure and compost in it so its in top condition for sowing next year?

Apologies for all the questions!

wallbash

Build it now AND start using it NOW!:D

No point in just looking at it, wot have you got to lose?

Mojisola

Get cracking now! Even if you only grow some lettuces and radishes this year, it's better than nothing.

rubiales

wallbash wrote: »

Build it now AND start using it NOW!:D

No point in just looking at it, wot have you got to lose?

Hear, hear! Just built a new one myself this weekend to accommodate the extra seedlings I couldn't bear to part with! Dug in lots of my home-made compost and some chicken manure pellets, planted up the seedlings and then sat with a chilled glass of vino blanco (special offer, of course!) to admire my handiwork! :beer:

Go for it !!!!!:D

hungrynurse_2

i did 2 a few weeks ago for seedlings from mini greenhouse, onated plants, and seedlings which needed thinning. These were on what was once pation & soil was rubbish, so I dug out a spade depth + height of raised. One I filled with some top soil from around the lorrels at the bottom of the garden, compost heap, cheap compost & a bag of sharp sand (cost £10 in all), the other I filled with regular top soil, compost heap & 40% horse manure, mostly well rotted (cost petrol to collect free manure). Every thing is growing really well (carrott, leak, dwarf bean, sweetcorn in #1, strawbs, loganberry, grape, yellow raspberry, lettice leaf & potatoes in#2).

I used strips of wood which was the edges of a trunk when it is sawn for timber to square it off, bark attached. Imperfect, one end is thicker than the other, but Ive not had one slug/ snail get into it, I can only put it down to the bark

Dont forget not to fill to the top of your raised bed as you will want to add something next year, poabably some manure or garden compost

tomsolomon

I've only just made mine up this week. I've read on a couple of web site its still ok to sow beetroot, cauliflower, brocolli, parsnips, and a few other things up untill late June early July. So I'm going to turn over my compost bin tomorrow and get the soil ready for some nice veggies....:D
I might even do them in the green house to give them a better start.

nozzy6

Well I've just rang the company in charge of our communal garden to ask if I'd be allowed to do it but as the bloke in charge of our building is away I'll have to wait til tomorrow to be sure. Fingers crossed!

nozzy6

well I've spoken to the housing people in charge but they need to come out and look at the garden, then have a discussion, then speak to all the other residents...should have known it wouldn't be as easy as knocking together a few bits of wood!

Not that I'm impatient or anything but I've emailed off for more info on local allotments