B&Q's Project Planner How To Create A Vegetable Patch

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1. How To Make A Vegetable Patch: Introduction (Image 1 of 9)

As with all new beds or borders, it’s best to work on the ground while it’s still clear of plants, getting rid of any perennial weeds. It’s also possible to construct a raised bed on any area of lawn or border.

The method shown here will work for most crops, but if the soil is compacted or you want to grow root crops such as carrots, you will first need to dig the ground before filling it with compost. For the bed’s framework, be sure to use wood that has been safeguarded against rot. One option is pre-treated timber painted with wood preservative or, even simpler, you can buy pressure-treated deck boards. So that the middle of the bed is easy to reach, keep the width to about 1.2m at most; the length can be whatever you fancy.

Basic Principles
Creating a healthy environment for plants to grow will reduce the need for chemical sprays – a plant growing in a favourable environment will be able to resist and outgrow the effects of most pests and diseases. Slugs and snails can be a problem, however, and some action may be needed. To keep plants healthy, here are a few basic principles to follow: