How to get round the vegetable garden in wet weather

is a vital question that needs answering.

• There is no point planning and working on the garden if the vegetables cannot be harvested easily. The thrill of growing your own depends, to a large degree, on being able to wizz out and pick something for the pot, instantly- without getting wet feet.
• The growing vegetables need looking after, too, and it is not easy to give constant care and attention, if the conditions are wet and uncomfortable.
• Paddling on wet ground does not do it any good. Water cannot get away from compacted soil, so the situation is aggravated by standing water and a wet path soon leads to a spreading quagmire.

Trish from BirdTableNews has raised this question:

It’s so muddy at the moment in the garden. I know someone who puts long strips of one foot wide old carpet inbetween her seed beds in her garden. She uses this as a path to walk on. When the carpet got worn out she put some more down. This meant even if it was really wet weather like it is now she could always get round her garden patch. Wondered if you have any tips for making it easy to get round a garden in wet weather - apart from wearing wellingtons! I suppose the proper garden slabs are best - is that right?

It is vital to have a clean, dry path from which one can access the vegetables. This has to be combined with narrow beds, so that vegetables can be reached from the path, without stepping on the garden soil.

TopVeg made some duckboards from some off-cuts of wood.

These were placed on a waterproof membrane which had been thrown out by builders.

Other materials suitable for paths are:

• gravel
• cinders
• chopped bark, wood chippings or pine cones

Path materials should:

• drain well
• remain clean

Waterproof footwear, which is easy to slip on is a bonus. Crocs are the ultimate, but garden centres and horse shops sell similar shoes which are much cheaper.

When planning a vegetable garden, it is important to consider how to get around the garden in wet weather.