raised beds | Lawrence Weston Community Farm

All of the work that Michelle and Scott have put in during late winter and early spring is already paying off. As the soil warms up, they have been sowing radish and beetroot seeds directly into the ground. These are fast growing plants, and the radish are ready to harvest already! If you’d like some, simply as a member of staff.

They’ve also been raising lots of plants in the poly tunnel. Some of these, such as cosmos, sunflowers, lambs tails, tomato and squash plants are for sale. Some of them have been planted in the beds.

We are really looking forward to eating some delicous vegetables in the summer!

: Soil in the beds

: Scott preparing the poly tunnel

: Radish growing magnificently

: French climbing beans from the polytunnel

: Plants ready to go

Michelle and Scott have been working hard redesigning and reorganising our vegetable gardens. They began by taking apart a few of the old raised beds, saving the soil and giving all the weeds to the chickens. Afterwards they laid membrane down to help supress weeds and stop them growing up into the beds. This works as most weed seeds need light to germinate, this is why they grow on disturbed soil.

They then rebuilt the sides of the raised beds, using new wood and refilled them with the soil, plus some extra well rotted manure. This provides nutrients for the growing plants. Soon – as the soil warms up and spring gets underway, they will sow some vegetables.

Well done Michelle and Scott – we will look forward to lots of delicious vegetables.