Vegetable patch setup in Exmouth

### From Lawn To Productive Veg Patch

You've watched Monty Don, bought the seeds, and **that patch of lawn** is about to become dinner. But building raised beds, shifting soil, and getting it right is more work than it looked on TV.

> 💡 **Pro tip:** Start smaller than you think - two well-maintained beds produce more than four neglected ones. You can always expand next year.

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### Why Proper Setup Matters

Here's the thing: **bad setup = disappointing crops**. Wonky beds, poor drainage, wrong soil mix - you'll be fighting problems all season.

| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong | |--------------|---------------| | Level beds, good drainage | Waterlogged or dry patches | | Quality soil mix for veg | Builder's rubble or clay | | Sturdy beds lasting years | Wonky timber collapsing first year | | Productive from season one | Struggling plants, poor yields |

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### What I Can Build

**🔧 Typical Veg Patch Setup**

| Element | What I Do | |---------|-----------| | **Raised beds** | Timber frames built level and sturdy (various sizes) | | **Ground prep** | Clear, level, membrane if needed to suppress weeds | | **Soil filling** | Mix of topsoil, compost, manure in right proportions | | **Paths** | Bark chip, gravel, or membrane between beds | | **Extras** | Support frames, water butts, compost bins positioned |

**📦 Common Configurations** - **Starter patch:** 2-3 beds (4ft x 8ft each) with bark paths - **Serious growing:** 4-6 beds with rotation plan and support frames - **Courtyard veg:** Smaller beds (4ft x 4ft) in limited space - **Allotment style:** Large plot with multiple bed types and structures

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### Pricing

This is an hourly job because every setup is different:

| What You Pay | |--------------| | **£60 first hour** (minimum) | | **£50 per hour after** | | Materials separate (I can supply or you buy) |

**Typical costs for common setups:** - **2 beds (4x8ft) with soil:** ~£500-700 total (materials + 6-8 hours labour) - **4 beds with paths:** ~£900-1200 total (materials + full day labour) - **Renovation of existing:** ~£300-500 (materials + half day)

*I'll quote based on your specific requirements, space, and what you want to grow.*

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### Perfect If You're...

✅ **Lockdown grower** - serious about self-sufficiency, need proper setup

✅ **Heavy work** - shifting soil, building beds is too much physically

✅ **Want it done right** - proper levels, drainage, sturdy construction

✅ **Limited time** - I can get it done in a day, you start planting