Why have raised beds rather than conventional allotments?
Raised beds [mini-allotments] enable us to have space for more Growers within a limited area. Also, an allotment is much too much work for most people. Because there is no useable soil and some contamination from old anti-fouling paints in the North Yard site, we use imported soil in our beds underlain with a plastic sheet/sand barrier layer.Narrow beds have been in common use in the Far East for over a millenium. There is no need to stand on the soil and so there is no compaction. This allows excellent root development so even deep rooted dandelions can be pulled out easily. There is good access to everyone,even young children and people with somedisability. The beds are easily looked after and so better, more intensive, plant care – and so more and tastier crops – result … without even getting your shoes dirty.
