Reply To: New beds over paving?

[ElizaD]

Thanks for this John.

Yes, water pipes are the problem as they are absolutely nowhere near the required depth. My neighbour found this out when he was building a small garden room and struck one at a depth he could not believe. I had also found one previous to this when putting a small pond on the edge of my patio – pipes criss-cross this area. I know there is soil there from digging out the pond. This pond area has now been filled in but I’m thinking of this same spot for the narrow(ish) raised beds.

It would enable me to better rotate a few summery things mainly, e.g. toms, courgettes, beans, maybe cucumbers and it would also be handy for overwintering salad stuff and a few spring cabbages. I don’t think roots from these crops should cause too much of a problem but if anyone thinks differently please let me know! I have decided I will remove the slabs as you suggest but put in 6″ raised beds just to be on the safe side.

Thanks again for your input.

Eliza