Woodchip pathways will need topping up, but they can also provide you with materials to add to your compost bins or to mulch your beds with. Huw Richard even has some videos about making compost in his pathways with woodchips and grass clippings. From using no dig raised beds in my home garden - I'd say anything that can provide compostable materials in future is better than stones/gravel.
Moving the large strawberry cage to the new plot is a good idea as it will free up ground so that you can position the raised beds with a larger path between each one. Perhaps to get a wheelbarrow between or at least to be able to kneel when tending the beds. If the paths are too narrow tending the beds can be more difficult
Such a great job Jim - well done! I agree with the others who recommend woodchip over membrane. Easy to scoop it up & use for compost when you need to refresh it 👍
@@downtoearthwithjim Only constructed/filled them last winter, but they were used on another plot 2 or 3 years ago and looking good. If pallet slats last 3, possibly 4 years, proper treated should last much longer than that. I also try and aquire all the old gravel boards when fencing is replaced locally.
I'd go for woodchips Jim. They will break down and help break up the clay and you can use the woodchuck as mulch after a couple of years. A bit of extra work topping the paths up, but very worthwhile in thr end.
Great work Jim. We make our raised beds the same way. We buy our wood form a wood supply company- far cheaper than SIY stores. Our beds cost £28.00 to make a 2,4 x 1.2 x .3 bed. We have woodchip paths which every 2 years we re do using the old chip for the compost. It's a shame you didn't save the branches, twigs laves etc from the trees you cut down as they are great for filling rised beds (Hugel Kultur). I did that with a lot of my beds and crops and flowers have thrived in it. You are doing a magnificent job. You should have great success with your crops next year. Happy growing 🙂
Thank you! That's good that you can make them so cheap. I'd like to make these with thicker wood but that would be pricy. I'm hoping next year is better with these raised beds. Happy gardening 😊
I have to say just loved the thumbnail. It was so cleaver. I alway feel strange commenting about thumbnails but as one yter to another we like having the feedback don't we!? Helps I think but well done. I hope you got a hight CTR I find when I did what I think it's cool somethings I go to far but I think that was so well done
Hi Kim, cheers! As a fellow creator in the same niche with a similar sized channel, I'm always open to a chat! I'm happy to share tips and advice 😊 Instagram or email? 📨
Well done Jim. Your arm must be like Popeyes after all that sawing. 😜. The beds look great. I always use raised beds, it gives you much more control of the growing medium. You will be so happy next year when you plant into them. Re, in between the beds, I would go with woodchip as it hides a multitude of sins when you spill compost etc. Plus you get to use it for compost later. Another thing to consider is paving slabs. Tony Smith uses these between beds. You can sometimes pick them up cheap. Very nice and tidy. All the best. Mags.
Haha, definitely some muscle workout! Certainly will pay off from next year i think! I would use slabs but expensive, and a lot of labour plus I'd need so many for the whole plot. Wood Chip is easier, cheaper and like you say makes compost too 😊 thanks for watching!
Wow Jim you have definitely made a huge difference to the new plot. Hopefully you and mom can grow some fantastic veg come spring 👍. I am not sure a lot of people could have done so much in a short time. Have a super week and take a break 😂 if you know ow how, Ali ☔️🥶🇨🇦
hi Jim, I would line your paths with membrane first then top with wood chips. If your wellies have any mud on the bottoms, the gravel will stick to them and you'll get sick of cleaning the stones out of the grooves. Great work getting all those raised beds made.
I think you are doing a great job with the new beds etc. I would chose wood chip, it is free, it soaks up water, looks nice and ends up as compost. Also, I think grass would grow through gravel and it would be an ongoing chore to pull it out. Good luck with all your work.
Very true and good points there Brenda. Wood Chip is so much easier and my old paths have made good material to fill these up already. Gravel would just go everywhere i think
That’s a lot of raised beds you’ve made, fair play, they should perform well for you, the only concern I would have is that the long sides may bow out, as there is no posts going into the ground, maybe it would be worth banging a post in the ground at the midway point and securing to that just for insurance? Just a thought.
That's a very good point, Pete. I was thinking about adding a batten down the middle going from one side to the other to keep the sides from bowing out. I did that with the bed in the poly and worked ok. Although your suggestion with posts might be easier. Cheers for that! 😊
I'd like to, but a much bigger cost purely for the benefit of being easier on the back. I grow in raised beds for many reasons but the least important reason for me is ease on the back, as I'm thankful to not have back issues
Maybe where the cage is you could try two hot beds (look up Jack First he has a book on hot beds) that way it gives you an earlier growing season to start growing food. It also extends your growing season in winter and helps through the hungry gap and at the end of the year lots of compost so you would be able to be even more self sufficient in compost 😊
You won't regret going a bit higher, my beds are 6m x 1.4m by 150mm, would love them to be higher and should have used 50mm instead of 30mm thick, the asparagus bed is edged with 75mm wide boards by 250 mm high, but they were reused from another job.
I've definitely thought about making them higher. Trouble is the cost. Thicker boards add a lot of cost and 12 inches tall is just right for me. My existing raised beds are no taller than that and I've found them to be ok
The wood i bought is 22 x 150mm x 3000mm treated rough sawn timber from Wickes. The membrane is from Screwfix here: www.screwfix.com/p/capital-valley-plastics-ltd-damp-proof-membrane-black-1000ga-15m-x-4m/22842
Don't go for gravel!! After 32 years my paths were orginally gravel, but the birds scratched soil into the paths now all wood chip, every 3 years it is placed on the beds and fresh wood chip put down.
A little extra expense. Your corner batons WILL "blow out", Hammer in some 2ft angle irons on the outside corners and your "home and hosed" Just wish that someone would have told me.
Woodchip pathways will need topping up, but they can also provide you with materials to add to your compost bins or to mulch your beds with. Huw Richard even has some videos about making compost in his pathways with woodchips and grass clippings. From using no dig raised beds in my home garden - I'd say anything that can provide compostable materials in future is better than stones/gravel.
Very true, thank you for that info 😊 I've already scooped my existing paths up and there's tonnes of material to help fill these beds up now!
Moving the large strawberry cage to the new plot is a good idea as it will free up ground so that you can position the raised beds with a larger path between each one.
Perhaps to get a wheelbarrow between or at least to be able to kneel when tending the beds.
If the paths are too narrow tending the beds can be more difficult
Exactly my thoughts 😊 thank you!
Such a great job Jim - well done! I agree with the others who recommend woodchip over membrane. Easy to scoop it up & use for compost when you need to refresh it 👍
Thank you! And Absolutely! I'll be going with wood chip again after considering all those things!
well done jim looking good paths go for wood chip
Definitely will be doing as i have for years already, thank you 😊
Same timber as I used for my raised beds (after I ran out of free ex-decking boards) and I'm very happy with it.
How long did they last you? I'm hoping i get 10 years out of these after i line them
@@downtoearthwithjim Only constructed/filled them last winter, but they were used on another plot 2 or 3 years ago and looking good. If pallet slats last 3, possibly 4 years, proper treated should last much longer than that. I also try and aquire all the old gravel boards when fencing is replaced locally.
@@David_Bell_growing thanks for the info 🙂 i was considering getting some 2 x 6 to make some more beds
I wrapped weed membrane around stiff cardboard ; and secured to ground using using tent pegs to create paths.
That ought to hold it in place!
I'd go for woodchips Jim. They will break down and help break up the clay and you can use the woodchuck as mulch after a couple of years. A bit of extra work topping the paths up, but very worthwhile in thr end.
Thanks! My old wood chip paths are helping fill these raised beds up
Well done, Jim. Your new beds look anazing! You've worked so hard. Keep up the good work 😊
Thank you so much 😊 now to fill them!
Great work Jim. We make our raised beds the same way. We buy our wood form a wood supply company- far cheaper than SIY stores. Our beds cost £28.00 to make a 2,4 x 1.2 x .3 bed. We have woodchip paths which every 2 years we re do using the old chip for the compost. It's a shame you didn't save the branches, twigs laves etc from the trees you cut down as they are great for filling rised beds (Hugel Kultur). I did that with a lot of my beds and crops and flowers have thrived in it. You are doing a magnificent job. You should have great success with your crops next year. Happy growing 🙂
Thank you! That's good that you can make them so cheap. I'd like to make these with thicker wood but that would be pricy. I'm hoping next year is better with these raised beds. Happy gardening 😊
@@downtoearthwithjim I am sure you will be rewarded for ll your hard work and determination. Keep on going- you'll get there. Happy growing 🙂
I have to say just loved the thumbnail. It was so cleaver. I alway feel strange commenting about thumbnails but as one yter to another we like having the feedback don't we!? Helps I think but well done. I hope you got a hight CTR I find when I did what I think it's cool somethings I go to far but I think that was so well done
Hi Kim, cheers! As a fellow creator in the same niche with a similar sized channel, I'm always open to a chat! I'm happy to share tips and advice 😊 Instagram or email? 📨
Looking good Jim, can’t wait to see what you end up with next year! Please share the leek and potatoe pie recipe, sounds lush! x
Thank you! Hopefully lots and lots of veggies next year in these beds! I'll try and share my recipe on a video or short 😊
Well done Jim. Your arm must be like Popeyes after all that sawing. 😜. The beds look great. I always use raised beds, it gives you much more control of the growing medium. You will be so happy next year when you plant into them. Re, in between the beds, I would go with woodchip as it hides a multitude of sins when you spill compost etc. Plus you get to use it for compost later. Another thing to consider is paving slabs. Tony Smith uses these between beds. You can sometimes pick them up cheap. Very nice and tidy. All the best. Mags.
Haha, definitely some muscle workout! Certainly will pay off from next year i think! I would use slabs but expensive, and a lot of labour plus I'd need so many for the whole plot. Wood Chip is easier, cheaper and like you say makes compost too 😊 thanks for watching!
Wow Jim you have definitely made a huge difference to the new plot. Hopefully you and mom can grow some fantastic veg come spring 👍. I am not sure a lot of people could have done so much in a short time. Have a super week and take a break 😂 if you know ow how, Ali ☔️🥶🇨🇦
Cheers Ali! I'm always trying to keep busy. I don't think I can stop 😂 have a fab week!
hi Jim, I would line your paths with membrane first then top with wood chips. If your wellies have any mud on the bottoms, the gravel will stick to them and you'll get sick of cleaning the stones out of the grooves. Great work getting all those raised beds made.
A very good point there. Woodchip it is!
Nice work.
Thank you!
Looking good Jim .Id move the strawberry's
That is a plan i think. Move it to the new plot, and stick 2 more beds where the cage was.
I think you are doing a great job with the new beds etc. I would chose wood chip, it is free, it soaks up water, looks nice and ends up as compost. Also, I think grass would grow through gravel and it would be an ongoing chore to pull it out. Good luck with all your work.
Very true and good points there Brenda. Wood Chip is so much easier and my old paths have made good material to fill these up already. Gravel would just go everywhere i think
That’s a lot of raised beds you’ve made, fair play, they should perform well for you, the only concern I would have is that the long sides may bow out, as there is no posts going into the ground, maybe it would be worth banging a post in the ground at the midway point and securing to that just for insurance? Just a thought.
That's a very good point, Pete. I was thinking about adding a batten down the middle going from one side to the other to keep the sides from bowing out. I did that with the bed in the poly and worked ok. Although your suggestion with posts might be easier. Cheers for that! 😊
Go for the 18” tall. Makes it easier on your knees and back 😊
But not the wallet
I'd like to, but a much bigger cost purely for the benefit of being easier on the back. I grow in raised beds for many reasons but the least important reason for me is ease on the back, as I'm thankful to not have back issues
Maybe where the cage is you could try two hot beds (look up Jack First he has a book on hot beds) that way it gives you an earlier growing season to start growing food. It also extends your growing season in winter and helps through the hungry gap and at the end of the year lots of compost so you would be able to be even more self sufficient in compost 😊
Hot beds are a great idea! The large amounts of material I add to the raised beds anyway will sort of act as a hot bed too as it breaks down
You won't regret going a bit higher, my beds are 6m x 1.4m by 150mm, would love them to be higher and should have used 50mm instead of 30mm thick, the asparagus bed is edged with 75mm wide boards by 250 mm high, but they were reused from another job.
I've definitely thought about making them higher. Trouble is the cost. Thicker boards add a lot of cost and 12 inches tall is just right for me. My existing raised beds are no taller than that and I've found them to be ok
do you have a link to the wood you bought please and the damp proof membrane 🙏 i'm hoping to make 6 in my garden 🤞
The wood i bought is 22 x 150mm x 3000mm treated rough sawn timber from Wickes. The membrane is from Screwfix here:
www.screwfix.com/p/capital-valley-plastics-ltd-damp-proof-membrane-black-1000ga-15m-x-4m/22842
Can you get a free wood chip delivery if so get that and that’s better on the pocket
Yes we get it delivered free every so often from arborists. It's just a case of waiting for when it's available
Why do you need to put anything on top of the membrane for the paths.
The membrane will get wet and slippery and the wood chips are better to walk on, look better, and absorb rainwater making the paths drier
Mine has not got slippy. Got nothing on top of membrane.
Never mind your screw gun get yourself a new saw 😂
I could do with a better one. Does the job okay though. Not that I use it all too often anyway
Don't go for gravel!! After 32 years my paths were orginally gravel, but the birds scratched soil into the paths now all wood chip, every 3 years it is placed on the beds and fresh wood chip put down.
Thanks for the tip! I've decided to just go with woodchip as I have done for the past 5 years 😊
A little extra expense. Your corner batons WILL "blow out", Hammer in some 2ft angle irons on the outside corners and your "home and hosed" Just wish that someone would have told me.
Thanks for the tip. I'm going to be hammering in some extra battens to stop the beds from bowing out too