Parameters

Ideally beds area able to be cared for by one person, although others may help at times to speed things up. 12m2 or 14square yards turns out to be a good size for each bed. The width that can be comfortably worked is 75cm, or 30". This also happens to be the size of many of the implements available for market gardeners. A 12m2 bed with a width of 75cm equates to a length of 16m, or 50 feet.

One person can turnover a bed of this size in a half day. Turning over may be slightly different for everyone but its typically:

  1. remove old crop
  2. cultivate in some fashion
  3. add amendments
  4. prepare seed bed

For more detail see

It is then possible to reseed/transplant into it in the next half day.

  1. sow using seeder or transplant using transplanter
  2. water in
  3. cover
  4. clean and replace tools

NOTE: Without seeder and transplanter it may take longer than a half day.

Furthermore this size of bed can be easily weeded in one hour

Propagation house

A propagation house needs to be of sufficient size to accommodate the sown seedlings. Spring is typically the time when the number of seedlings is at its highest. The expected number of seedlings can be required and calculate

There are three type of propagation houses

Glass house

Plastic or polycarbonate greenhouse

Tunnel house

estimate size and then double it

Area for sowing

shade houses do not make too dark

  • 20% shade
  • shelving

Irrigation

Soaker hose upside and downside Overhead In ground

Trellising

different trellising techniques and identify the best method for each type of crop

  • easily weed in an hour.
  • sow in a day
  • turnaround in a half a day

Making seed boxes

Use only heat treated (HT) or untreated pallets. Cut them into lengths of 40cm for the sides and bottoms, and 30cm for the ends Use 20mm galvanised flat head nails, 2 per side and end.

Knots

Very useful to learn a few simple knots from the outset

Bowline

To make a secure loop in a rope - quick and easy to tie with one hand, and easy to undo

Clove hitch

Tie a rope to a pole - very quick e.g. tomato stakes

Reef knot

Join ropes of equal size Hard to undo if under load

Zeppelin knot

Join ropes of equal size and under load

Sheet bend

Join ropes of unequal thickness Double sheet bend if there is a huge difference, or ropes are of different material