How wide should we make our paths?

[kitten]

Hi all, i wonder if anyone could recommend what width we shouddl make our paths when we do them (next weekend yippee  ;D )?

We're putting in two long paths to separate our plot into four rotation beds, and are going for the cardboard covered with either straw/hay or bark chippings method.

I'm guessing the width of a wheelbarrow would be sufficient, but any ideas gratefully received! x

[kitten]

[Blue Bird]

I have made mine wheel barrow width and the ones that are by the raised beds I have measure out the distance that I am comfortable Kneeling down. Hope that helps

BB ???

[supersprout]

That'll make life a lot easier kitten, bet you're looking forward to it!

Down to personal preference like you say BB. For us:
Wide paths: 1m (handily the width of a roll of woven black plastic)
Narrow paths between beds: start at 65cm. The growing areas aren't edged, so these get wider or narrower (60 cm - 75cm) depending what crops are growing at what distances. I tidy up to 'regimental' spacing as we settle down for winter.

I want leaves flopping over the edges of the paths to maximise use of space - especially when I did the calcs and found 25% of my plot is 'manoevering area' :o Keen to plant intensively here!

[LauraB]

We're making our main, central path 3ft wide, and the small paths between beds 2ft wide. We're dividing the plot into lots of smaller beds, though (with a view to raising them over time) because we have three small daughters, and we want to make it clear to them where they can walk and where they can't. I suspect that, since you will be having fewer paths than me, you could afford to be more generous if you wanted  :)

[cambourne7]

HI

Mine are about 6ft wide ( yes i know its big ) but i plan on training grape vines down as a partial wind break and as a small hopeful crop. )

Also at the moment there is just me and the hubbie so in the future i can add another row of raised beds down the paths when we have kids and need more growing space.

You might also want to add space for any overhanging plants from the beds.

Cambourne7

[kt.]

The main axis through my plot is made of 3x2ft paving slabs. Likewise across the top and bottom of my plot. All paths that branch off the main axis are 15inches wide made of edging and bark chippings with a black plastic membrane.

[Mrs Ava]

Mine are as wide as my feet.  Can't stand the thought of all that ground with nothing growing in it.  I have to tip toe, but I am used to it. ;D

[bennettsleg]

Cor! what alot of space! mine are about 450mm (18"?) wide all round the plot! Seems larger in inches than in mm...!

[euronerd]

I made mine just wide enough to put the barrow down. I wish I'd done as Blue Bird has, and thought about kneeling.

Geoff.

[Tee Gee]

Two rules of thumb I find that works choose how tall you are;

Paths;

Minimum width; is the distance from your kneecap to the soles of your feet.

This prevents your feet digging into the bed behind you when you kneel to plant out or hand weed.

Beds;

Maximum width;

Again kneel down and stretch forward as if planting something, measure this distance and double it.

This means you can work with ease from either side of the bed.

Alternatively I find 5ft (1.5m) a useful width.

It means you can plant out 4 brassicas, (these are generally the widest spacings you will use)  across the bed, e.g. approx 6" in then  - 18" - 18" - 6"

Now before someone collars me for such narrow spacings e.g.the books say 24" I find these work very nicely because you are not walking on the bed.

Plus it allows the plants to support each other and reduces the light to the soil between them meaning ........less weeds!!

With plants requiring 15" centres you can get five across 6"-15"-15"-15"-6"

I hope this helps!

[manicscousers]

our main path is 3' wide, so the barrow goes along, the rest are 18", as  we have raised beds, I can put a plank across the corner or side to side and sit on it to plant and weed  :)

[sweet-pea]

I'm with EJ on this, I have 2 main paths running the length of the plot, which are wide enough (just) for a barrow, and then all the paths going off to the side between the beds are just a little wider than the length of my feet.  Worked fine for me last year except for the overhanging teasel that was too prickly! 
I tend to crouch as opposed to kneeling so don't need extra wide paths as such.

[kitten]

Thanks everyone for your ideas.  That's good advice to make them wide enough to kneel down in - hadn't thought about that aspect ::).  I guess the width of the cardboard we have might have some say in the matter too, but we'll see! Will take some piccies this weekend & post them for you all to inspect our work x

[flowerlady]

Mine are as wide as my feet.  Can't stand the thought of all that ground with nothing growing in it.  I have to tip toe, but I am used to it. ;D

;D ;D ;D totally agree .. also it depends if you have the room to spare in the first place.

My plot is small for my needs so no spare space to be over gernerous with paths!!

[supersprout]

Does anyone else know the proportion of your cultivated area to 'manoevering space'?
Is 25% (uncultivated) typical, or if I should get my coat ???

[dandelion]

My plot is small too, so I've kept the paths narrow at 40 cm. The beds are 120 cm wide and 7m long, which is a bit too long really as I'm often tempted to walk/jump over them to reach the other side.

[Deb P]

Got me calculator out......... :o

On the right hand side of my plot, there are 12 raised beds, a path next to compost bins with a turning area (suggested by OH and a truly good idea!!), a decorative boarder next to the fence, and a herb bed; the paths between the raised beds are 2' wide, with a 3' (sorry, think in imperial) long path running lengthways from shed to compost bins....total paths that side is 31% as a percentage of the total available growing area. Seems a lot, but all the utility type stuff is that side.

Right hand side, growing in rows, much less, 16%, but to be fair, I haven't worked out exactly how many rows of potatoes I can fit in yet! ;D

[moonbells]

Mine are 15" wide between most of the beds. Can wheel a barrow between, but the rear legs have to be put down on the bed rather than in the path. Doesn't hurt. When I want to sit down to weed, I pop a piece of wood between the edgings and sit/kneel on it (with a kneeling pad for padding!).

moonbells

[supersprout]

Thank you Deb, I feel much better ;D I think my 25% is conservative - it may be nearer 30% ::)

[Deb P]

I like a decent amount of room to manoeuvre around, I'm quite clumsy, I'm sure I would trip over everything if it was too a case of tight maneuvering!

When I was planning the layout, I went around with my wheelbarrow to see if I could tip it up over the proposed beds; I came to the conclusion I am not a petite and bijou person, I need decent sized paths! ;D