[doganjo]

I would like to grow fruit and veg, and to that end I have planted some fruit trees (just cheapy Morrisons apples, plums and pears, but had them before in wintry Aberdenshire and they grew fine).  I have a half acre of grass at the front where the dogs are let into every day for a short time so need to section an  area off if veges are started too.  Chooks and dooks are already penned off, but the dooks occasionally get to roam.  Raised beds would probably therefore be better, but being on my own and getting on a bit, heavy lifting and digging is out.  I'm not terribly green-fingered either. Any ideas for easy raised beds and easy to grow veg.  Advice on whether to plant seeds or started plants and when to plant also welcome.

[Fluffywelshsheep]

if you need any help give me a shout i don't mind coming and helping out to get you started.
Linz

[garden cottage]

Hi annie,the people we bought our cattle off had a good system,they bought used fruit picking crates that were about 3ft high so no bending over, then fill with good compost and soil are very productive easy to work on, have also seen old oil tanks,plastic type cut in half cleaned and used the same way.......good luck neil

[doganjo]

Thanks, both of you.  Shoudl I start finding and getting the beds set up now then, or wait till beginning of the eyar?

[Fluffywelshsheep]

Well what you can do to start with is build up your frames then get compost and place manure on the top of it (btw their is a nice lady in dollar, it's really outskirts of fishcross that keep chickens she like to get rid of the chicken poo as she doesn't uses it), Just ask on freecycle for Manure and you'll get lots of replys.

The frost and cold weather will help to break it down, Possible let your chickens on it to help 'rotavate' it lol



Linz