Raised Bed and no dig system

Question 1

what material is used to edge raised beds?

Answer 1

timber
railway sleepers

Question 2

how wide are the paths between raised beds and what are they made from?

Answer 2

60cm wide
gravel
paving slabs - to provide good all weather surfaces

Question 3

what group of people are raised beds good for?

Answer 3

elderly and disables - make paths wider if necessary

Question 4

what depth should the soil be in a raised bed ideally?

Answer 4

20cm, to allow for rooting.

Question 5

what width are raised beds and why?

Answer 5

1.2m wide, so they can be reached from either side without treading on the bed itself.

Question 6

what is the main purpose of a raised bed?

Answer 6

you don’t need to tread on it, therefore you avoid compaction

Question 7

How do you increase fertility in a raised bed?

Answer 7

add plenty of well rotted OM and manures

Question 8

why are sowing distances closer than normal in a raised bed?

Answer 8

there is no need to walk between the rows - closer cropping reduces weeds.

Question 9

instead of forking/hoeing to weed, what can you do in a raised bed?

Answer 9

use a plastic or organic mulch.

Question 10

when a crop is finished, what do you do in a raidsed bed?

Answer 10

remove the debris and compost it.

spread a new layer of compost over the whole bed

This is a no dig system.

Question 11

what are the benefits of a raised bed?

Answer 11

easy access for all tasks- sowing/thinning/planting/irrigation/pest control

Avoids compaction as not walked on/no use of heavy machinery

work is possible in wet weather due to the paths

Soil is well aerated with a good structure/texture as not walked on