Siting of vegetable beds. Sharon Clark, Wales

Dear Hugh I am moving to SW Wales within the month, and am already planning changes to the existing garden! I need to know the best part of my new garden in which to build raised beds for successful growing of lovely fresh veggies. The garden faces south, and is a plot approx 20ft long by 80ft wide. The kitchen is at the rear on the eastern end of the bungalow, and we plan to build a conservatory on the western end. I am told most of the bad weather comes from the west, and the garden is quite windy from that direction. Also, how high can I safely build my raised beds, bearing in mind that I am arthritic and have chronic back pain, so bending is out of the question for more than a few minutes, although I could manage quite well sitting down? Eagerly awaiting your reply Sharon
Forum (Hugh):
Dear Sharon, The main thing with vegetables is they require light, and shelter from wind. Building the raised beds best with concrete blocks set on edge to one block high mortared in on a footing, you could go to a timber edge made to fit the blocks to take the edge higher (half round fencing posts with a strong waterproof membrane on the inside between the post and the soil) (beware of the tanalizing get advice from your supplier) widen up the top edge to make a safe seat the full length of both sides and ends. Make the paths wide enough to push a wheelbarrow. Keep the beds narrow no more than 1m wide so that you can work them from both sides. Never stand on the beds or compress the soil, this will make it warm up quicker, with good structure, easer to dig with a hand fork for short times. Fill the bottom layer with deep well rotted dung, and top with 300 mm or 1ft of soil, allow at least a month to settle, top up again until the soil has stabilized. Always use the fork full size or small-put the spade away it hurts your back unless you are used to it! Put wood chips on the paths to suppress weeds. Hope this helps, Best regards Hugh