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Raised bed in a greenhouse

simonxKiZ_b2ksimonxKiZ_b2k Posts: 1
in Fruit & veg
Hi all, new to the forum so apologies if this has been covered before. 
We have recently moved to a house in Crieff, Perthshire and I am planning the veg plot. There is an old stone built greenhouse against a south west facing wall currently overrun by a grapevine. There is a raised bed against the wall, original, I believe it was heated by a fire as there is a hollow in the brickwork and chimney at the end. 

The grapevine is going (we don’t eat them nor will I make wine!), planning to grow predominantly tomatoes, peppers, try my hand at aubergines, some padrons etc. 

My dilemma is whether to clear and retain the bed replacing all soil and growing plants direct (still ample space for pots etc) or to remove this and free up a lot of space for staging and then pots on the ground.

i am loathed to get rid of it, feels a tad criminal (though the heating channels, chimney etc already butchered before me). That said I know pathogens can build up and I will likely plant the same crops year on year, removing and replacing all soil will be a massive task! 

The bed measures about 5m long, 80cm wide or so.

any thoughts and advice appreciated. Maximising growing potential is my priority.


Posts

  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    We installed a new greenhouse about 7 years ago, and built-in two planting beds, sunk into the ground.  I've attached a photo for reference.  Every year we grew Tomatoes and Padrons in them, but we always had to change the soil every year, as it was completely spent by the end of the season.  It was a real faff.  


    We filled them in a couple of years ago, and now grow everything in pots in the greenhouse.  It means we can move things around, take the pots outside to empty and refill them, etc.  If it were me, I would get rid of the beds, and grow in something more portable (pots, grow bags, etc).  You are also right about pathogens, we always use completely fresh growing medium every year for any veggies in the greenhouse.
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