Long thinish beds?

[MamaHawk]

Hi all,

My husband and I are working on slightly-raised beds this year. We're trying to determine the best place for them, but it's tricky because each area with the most sun has a drawback to it somehow or another.

This is the sketch I made last year. The big tree in the bottom right has been removed, but we're planning on putting a shed right behind the garage (above the tree) so it's not totally open space to plan in. There is a trampoline we can move to wherever as needed, hence the sketch under the tree (really light, sorry about that).

Currently we're considering doing two 2x8 beds along the far left side of the property to create a sort of boundary for the toddler, plus another 2x8 or so at the bottom right (below the "tree") for the same reason. The front property (as of right now) gets shade until about 10am, but then is in the clear until probably 6-7 when the trees across the street cast their shadows over. The spot by the "tree" would get effectively constant sun probably after 10-11 due to a tree. We're also considering a small section on the back bottom right of the house (the little nook cut into the house) because currently it's just wasted space/toy storage on a terrible clay-rock slope. We might just build that up with some pavers to support a rain barrel and maybe extra plants, but that's TBD. That area gets sun morning to probably 4-5 when the house shadows the area.

The question is, should we bother with narrow beds in the first two areas that we can build out later if we like the spots, or is narrow a bad idea for some reason? The beds themselves wouldn't be much higher than two inches above the actual ground, which would also be used. I couldn't really do hugelkulture (spelling?) at this stage because they're so low, but we have to start somewhere! Any support or warnings for these plans? I'd appreciate it!

 

[oneeye]

I would keep it as simple as possible in the beginning. Its so easy to over do it in the beginning of Spring. Spring Fever it gets the best of us. The marketers are ready for you at your local plant markets. Good luck and keep us posted and thanks for the post.

 

[Mike313]

Just a general opinion on the size of beds. I prefer relatively narrow beds - maximum 3 feet - because when I am kneeling in the path between beds I can easily reach the centre - to weed etc.
A 3 foot wide bed works well for spacing rows of plants in my experience.
The space between the beds needs just as much planning - it needs to be wide enough for you to kneel comfortable at right angles to the side of adjacent beds, without your feet getting into the bed behind you. It needs to be wide enough to get a wheelbarrow between the beds (make allowance for clearance to any netting or cloches you may place over the beds), and clearance for a mower if the paths are grass. Somewhere around 2'6" works for me.
Length-wise, instead of having a very long bed, I prefer beds to be not more than 10/12 feet long with a break between them so it is easy to cross over between rows with a wheelbarrow etc.
I don't know if I have explained that very well, so I've attached a sketch which, together with the above, might help clarify what I'm saying.

 

[MamaHawk]

I appreciate your insight so much! We did think maybe 3 feet would be a better width than 2, but I hadn’t thought of crossing over to different beds. I’ll mention that to my husband and show him your sketch

 

[MamaHawk]

I would keep it as simple as possible in the beginning. Its so easy to over do it in the beginning of Spring. Spring Fever it gets the best of us. The marketers are ready for you at your local plant markets. Good luck and keep us posted and thanks for the post.

Thank you! We did decide to cut back to two beds and see how that goes first