Starting Your First Vegetable Garden (Without Breaking The Bank) - Complete Presentation

Here's how to start a vegetable garden without spending much, if anything, to grow food. This easy vegetable gardening method uses just hand tools, your backyard soil and free garden amendments. Watch the complete presentation with David The Good and start gardening today!
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Totally Crazy Easy Florida Gardening: amzn.to/2VReBlH
Grow or Die: The Good Guide to Survival Gardening: amzn.to/3XSkFZ4

[@davidthegood]

Thank you for watching. Plant propagation is way easier than most people think. If you want to propagate just about anything, check out my book "Free Plants for Everyone" here: amzn.to/2YiGHtP If you are interested in monetizing your passion for plants by starting your own home plant nursery, you should enjoy my book on the topic - check it out here: amzn.to/38uwRXu Get my free composting booklet: www.thesurvivalgardener.com/simple-composting/ "Compost Your Enemies" T-shirts: www.aardvarktees.com/collections/vendors?q=The%20Survival%20Gardener

[@nereidapr1]

I totally agree. When I don't have commercial nutrients. I use left over coffee, egg shell, vinegar. I found a way to do compost. Since I'm in a wheelchair but I do garden in my balcony and I was given a raised bed at the level of my wheelchair but I asked would you like to do it with these cement blocks. They were left over from the construction of the of my house. Great video

[@siouxsiesiouxwilson7247]

Fantastic

[@rastaxhosa3283]

Blessed

[@junedewar5190]

I love the manual tiller I bought from Amazon for about $12. It is easier than digging with a fork although I use a fork to dig up rocks and large stones. I like the six pronged tiller although the description the seller put on the last one I bought detailed four pronged it was actually six prongs. The colour is yellow.

[@amyhorrocks603]

Worth it to mention -- leave enough room between the beds for your wheelbarrow to get through. :)

[@bonniehiniker419]

Yep. I didn't do that quite wide enough. The gardens grew so robustly I am waking tops off the tomato plants so they ripen fruit while not forming flowers not ripening b4 frost

[@TheRealJennHill]

Great reminder before I get my beds set up tomorrow

[@creative227]

I am a o dig convert. Too old to double dig and with age I’ve learned the virtue of patience and letting Mother Nature do her job!

[@teca1775]

Your the first gardener I"ve seen talking about maintaining their tools. How refreshing. 40 years in the landscape industry, I"ve seen people buy hoes and shovels and never sharpen them. Maintaining my tools was one of the first things I was taught. :)

[@davidthegood]

Glad to hear it

[@bonniehiniker419]

Me too! My pa taught me to use file grinder and whetstone!

[@OfftoShambala]

Martha Stewart covered that in the 90’s!

[@swayback7375]

People give me a hard time with my tools. I get them dirty and beat them up when I use em, but I ALWAYS wash them when done, I never just lay a tool down. Stand it up, stick it in the ground whatever, don’t lay it down! And for sure reason people like to give me a hard time for keeping things razor sharp. If I hoe a single row I’ll still carry a file and probably touch up the edge about ever 100 feet, to some it looks like a waste of time, maybe it is, but for my time I’d rather use a sharp tool that works than fight with a dull tool and pay for it the next day. But most folks seem to keep their tools dull as can be and think a sharp tool is dangerous…

[@Skashoon]

I’m trying to determine how to sharpen my curved-blade, corn knife. I ran into some barbed wire entangled in weeds, out of sight. Any suggestions?

[@gershhayes796]

Man, this video is 2 years old, but it's one of my favorite. I show this to anyone that has a lot of questions about gardening in Florida. Thank you.

[@mattpeacock5208]

I thought your "easier method" included machines! Insteal it was child labor! I LOVE IT! It takes me back to being a kid

[@beltoftruth56]

Man you've made gardening real for us .. naturally not all the gadgets and expense

[@davidthegood]

Thank you very much.

[@annamccosker7878]

Oh-m-geesh!! I was cracking up laughing when your sweet little girl was working with the shovel! You are so funny, love your sense of humor. 😊

[@davidthegood]

She is really a great helper - thank you.

[@homesteadrevivals]

At the very least, it's nice to fit a wheel barrow between beds. In our case, as we age, we've grown to appreciate being able to get a riding mower pulling a trailer between plantings.

[@AuntNutmeg]

How wide might that be (the riding mower and trailer, I mean)? My husband and I (60 and 58) are shopping for our homestead property. I expect we will be moving in the next 3 to 9 months. I'm considering how I want to tackle getting beds in for food and herbs. Yes, most of those decisions will depend upon the property itself, but I'm thinking about spacing and whatnot now. That way when I'm all excited to get going I don't put things too close together!

[@lisakelley9451]

I love your videos... learn so much! Some friends are closing on a property in my neighborhood this week. She's lived in apartments for decades and could only container garden. Now she's going to have 7 exquisite acres in the East Texas woods! I'm sending her this video. She'll love it!

[@Beltloop29]

You are a good man David the Good.

[@reaganviking]

I dug a couple more beds this year and it was so much easier than last year bc I used a pick to loosen the dirt first. Best $26 ever spent at Harbor Freight

[@davidthegood]

Way to go. Good tools make a world of difference.

[@annemcgirt5296]

I ordered a garden fork that is like a shorter, fatter tined version of David's broad fork. I had only used a tater digger before that and it apparently went only on the surface without getting in there. The fork gets down in there. I don't know what my garden area in my back yard was in a previous life, but it seems like there must have been lots of cinderblocks "busted" there! I get down about 8 inches and hear "clunk" I have filled 3 5 gallon buckets with pieces of cinderblocks, many are about 4"X8" long. I hope that will let me have some decent sweet potatoes and carrots next year! I wish I had dug these up in my younger days (71 is really no time to start digging these block parts) but better late than never, right?

[@annemcgirt5296]

Oh, a couple of years ago, my husband asked what I wanted for our anniversary. I asked for and got a sledge and a wedge. This year for my birthday, I asked for a new axe and a new short shovel. When I'm not digging and hitting cinderblocks, I'm hitting roots. Since I have to dig to get to be able to swing the axe to chop them, I use the hole that I've dug to make a little biochar from limbs, branches and even roots!

[@GrandmasFoodGarden]

Thanks for both the education & humor!😂

[@amandathurston2720]

You can DIY a wick system, put a bucket with holes with a piece of cloth hanging out, and a slightly larger solid bucket with extra fertilizer water! And you have a self wicking system

[@leadsmith5873]

This has to be one of the most useful videos I've ever seen. Thank you for this great video. Also, I really appreciate how you take care of your tools and treat them with care.

[@myfuturepuglife]

Right! I started out with a couple rotting landscaping timbers and a few bricks and rocks. I didn't know what I was doing anyway but I learned some very valuable lessons the first year, and the second year. I'm in my third growing season and I still love it and I LOVE the always learning part!

[@kathychatty7017]

But what if it is your personal soil

[@myfuturepuglife]

@@kathychatty7017 We started our first garden in the front yard. It was mostly clay under 3 to four inches of top soil and grass in our front lawn. It was a lot of work but we started with our native soil and just kept learning more about how to make your own soil GOOD soil to grow in. You got this!

[@angelkey6336]

The width of your lawnmower is useful to know when spacing beds.

[@jeremysaunders9003]

Great video, my friend told his son he will grow him anything he wants, I can’t wait to see his beef burger 🍔 plant. 😆

[@MarielasSister]

Another benefit to growing seeds is that there are different varieties easily available vs transplants.

[@davidthegood]

Very good point.

[@deestupi]

"You can hit the golden corral then come home and weed" lol it's like you know me

[@maydaygarden]

The original reason for the "June Bride" tradition was so she would have a baby by Feb/Mar and be able to help in the garden/field for the spring planting season. A few years later, the kids would be old enough, albeit an early age, to begin helping with the animals and fall harvest. I grew up in the San Joaquin Valley and come from a long line of decendents whose farming roots began in Tennessee. David gets it from a comedic standpoint, but it's a long forgotten cycle as the reason for the "June Bride".

[@kathleensanderson3082]

I think, also, by June the spring planting was finished, but the harvest hadn't started to come in, so there was time to take a short break. And it was easier for people to get together for a celebration in June than in the winter.

[@ifyouloveChristyouwillobeyhim]

Oh! That makes so much sense! In was sure wondering about that.

[@ausfoodgarden]

I normally space the beds just an inch or 2 wider than my lawnmower, Works well for me And it's great to see you putting an edge on your tools. That was the most useful lesson my grandfather ever taught me 😊

[@plantednaturally]

Learning so much for this videos.

[@MaryM-qq7zk]

I Believe in Frugal Living!!😁

[@thomasgronek6469]

Year after year I've dug up the old tomato plants, roots and all, and throw them out, or burn them, (I don't want to add or propagate a potential pathogen to the compost). With that said, the root systems only go six inches deep, no matter how deeply they are planted. One year they were put a foot deep in HIGH quality, homemade compost yet the roots at the end of the season were still only six inches deep. I will be switching to the sideways root technique (two weeks before planting, (turn the pots on the side, the plant grows upward, giving about a 90° angle between the roots and the vine). I might even get the root system a foot long before I plant the tomatoes). Here's the QUESTION: How deep have the root systems gotten for you, or other folks in your viewing audience ? As always, many thanks for this and all of your videos, answers, and knowledge you have gifted to us. God be with you and your plants !

[@o.o1163]

Having your daughter help is exactly what you should do💐🤗. I've got 3 grandsons and they help me too

[@ADVJason]

So in November I moved to a new home on 6 acres. I have been wanting to have a garden for a long time. I probably could have at my last place but I never really did anything. As soon as I knew I was getting this house I had started planning a garden. Now I am a complete beginner.. well one year trying (and going away most of the summer) at the other house and a few tomato plants doesn't really count I feel. This year I have made a couple raise beds. Used several existing Flower beds / raised beds and had a neighbor nice enough to till up a big garden for me. I bought a couple new tools and a few transplants and seeds as I found them and said to my self "I want to try that" I find it relaxing to go out and water, weed, or just work in the garden. Hard work ..sometimes. It will be worth it when something produces food. For now watching beans and other plants come out of the ground is pretty amazing. I'm in Ohio and my place was pretty wet to start with so I'm just got most stuff planted. enjoying every minute. Love the videos and books. I have leaned a bunch. I bought the audio book Grow or die first and now have that printed book and two others. Good stuff. Thanks for helping me become more self sufficient.

[@davidthegood]

Thank you for writing. Really, starting a few small spaces will teach you a ton, then you will be able to handle a lot more. Make a small area highly fertile and productive and it's easier to scale up.

[@ADVJason]

@@davidthegood Kind of what I was thinking. I have several small places and hope they all do well bey figure they all won't. I figure it is a learning year (the first of many I am sure) Try this try that and really learn what works here. I have been loving it so far.

[@cexe2120]

Hi! Watching this video more than a year later. I hope your first garden went well!

[@ADVJason]

@@cexe2120 not bad. Some good some bad...all fun. this year has been a challenge so far.

[@dustyflats3832]

I know this is an older video, but so true still today! Since pandemic and grow your own I can’t help to think the prices are much high and not due to inflation. I understand if you live in a gated community, landlord rules, etc. where it needs to be neat, but things can get pricy even for those of us with land and messy isn’t an issue. Lol, just buying fence to keep the wildlife out is enough cost. Going back to in ground beds and compost in place. Ah, the topic of environments, seeds and bare root. Struggling with this before I get the rest of the fruit plants. Some major suppliers will tell you where they are grown, some Not. I was recently shocked our local supplier gets plant shipped in from MO and I suspect that’s why they don’t prosper in Z5 even though they are for Z5.

[@tunneleddiscovery5]

I just started my first full garden...(fall garden) and I did the thing... I've every kind of seed. Things I don't even know if I eat. Smh I only have 50 sq ft. Send help! I want to be successful to cut my families grocery bill but the pest pressure out here doesn't leave me hopefully. Thank you for a great video. It gave me a little hope to fail foreword and do better even if pest and disease win.

[@quantumtimelines2846]

You should have millions of subs!

[@Maranatha_Homestead]

I had to rewind and listen to that again. I live by Fort McCoy, and my hubby works there! LOL.

[@Dr.JulieJames]

That is how I feel in love with Gardening digging the plots I still love to make the plots...

[@msb8013]

I think that's my favorite jam there. Two rounds of that bass and I'm all in after hearing it only 3 times. That's how you know you gotta good one.

[@tamararoberts9307]

I just ❤ your humorous remarks and I always learn to boot

[@janicesgarden5748]

Thanks David this is the way I garden. Although I don't need to start or break up new soil anymore. And love composting.

[@clinthutcheson2640]

Starting seeds tomorrow. Peas and pole beans are up and growing

[@spanky4244]

“I’m tired of digging grandpa” “well that’s too damn bad” lots of work is no joke I just double dug eight 24’ beds this year.. first year no till.. I wish my starting soil looked as good as yours but I’ll get there

[@kjrchannel1480]

I have had the displeasure of seeing hordes of earwigs chomping all my plants they could eat at night. There are also times when you can have dozens of starts from seed packets that don't have a home because some seeds are more viable after a few years than one might think. Although Beefsteak tomato's are quite boring to grow compared to multicolored varieties, you get far more seeds in a packet that can last for a few years in my case.

[@lleesti1346]

amish paste tomatoes!!! I planted some, they did much better than any others. I didn't realize they were an heirloom till after a hard frost. found a couple of stragglers froze, but I have them thawing to snag the seeds!

[@umiluv]

Nice! I just bought some of those seeds too. Those and San Marzano. My family loves it when I make pasta so gotta grow the Roma paste tomatoes to can and make fresh pasta sauce.

[@ifyouloveChristyouwillobeyhim]

Yep! I just bought my one and only AP seedling so I'm desperate to not kill it! Hoping to find something that's great for my region and yet can imitate Italian cuisine.

[@pietsnot7002]

I also made the mistake of making 1 foot walkways between paths, a pain in the neck for sure! An other mistake l made was making raised hugel beds in an arid landscape, they don’t decompose (5 years old now) and just have the beds drain the water away so fast you can’t water them enough during the summer heat plus created a paradise for voles.. ohh well we live and learn..

[@simoncox4421]

Dear Dave, one of the things that have surprised me was this. I planted surplus spring Onions(Scallions), from the super market, for a number of years and some have flowered and provided seeds. This year I planted a couple of super market Brown Onions and they have also flowered and provided seeds.

[@davidthegood]

That is awesome.

[@diannevaldez8670]

I love your "easier way". I have a big family too and I would gather them and explain what "we" were going to do and I would add "and by WE I mean you". Ahh, the power was intoxicating!!!! :) :) Just kidding. We all did work because we are a family and that's what family does. You are too funny though!!!

[@Patriot-od6xk]

Great video David!

[@vonries]

I see you like a modified version of the "French bio intensive" method except the sod and plant spacing. I like the original, version myself, to each their own. But your still getting it good and deep. I know a lot of people are going to a no dig method, but I like it deep at least the first year.

[@thomasa5619]

That fork is impressive I can only drive a fork an inch into the dirt where I live

[@reaganviking]

Get a heavy pick

[@reaganviking]

...or do a no dig garden with cardboard/newspaper and chipped tree branches

[@geoffreyshubert2263]

yes I struggled with that myself. The only thing that worked for me was adding to the top soil not digging it in. I made raised beds out of concrete blocks initially later with logs, added logs, manure, hay weeds cardboard compost you name it - got an actual functioning garden. I did use bought manure and compost the first year.

[@thomasa5619]

Sorry didn’t see responses I guess it’s fine claylike material, it’s compacted tho It’s also a tiny condo so I don’t want to have arguments with management about building a raised garden (I think I can but I don’t want to do anything permanent) I’m just trying to get something growing in it, got a couple dozen sunflower seeds germinated, trying to get tomatoes to germinate happily but they don’t get watered cause I’m away at work, or they drown. I need to fine tune my technique. There’s a quite large tea tree in the corner so the garden kinda self mulches (the leaves that fall off are dense not light and crumbly like real deciduous trees)

[@umiluv]

Container gardening is a lot of fun too. I did that on my apartment patio in Los Angeles and it helped a lot with not having to buy herbs. I had herbs and one tomato plant to learn about gardening. It was really fun and saved me a lot of money on not having to buy herbs.

[@NaturalMysticRetreatCenter]

Really got me exited about breakin out the old ho i keep in the dusty closet with the torture equipment

[@AlaFefe]

Nice one Dave. Love your channel, even the older videos. Brisbin = aussie for Brisbane

[@davidthegood]

Thank you.

[@gangofgreenhorns2672]

Synth tone is just terrific in the start of this.

[@davidthegood]

Thank you! That is a vintage Fender Rhodes electric piano - the real deal!

[@josanders4051]

Enjoyed your new garden. Did you get the weeds and grass out before you planted

[@kriswhite1344]

Great advice an information thanks

[@carolynsteele5116]

This was great, simple and to the point! I love your videos and your jokes.

[@zhartheProprietor]

I've been procrastinating but your Compost Everything book is ordered from Castalia. "Good" video.

[@OfftoShambala]

You can start gardening without breaking the bank by getting you a plastic storage bin, something most people have or can be acquired for ten shells or less... put holes in bottom with a drill or soldering iron or other socially unacceptable things... something many people have... soldering irons run about ten shells or less, I think... at harbor freight... then if you have shrubs or trees that need trimming, you can chop up the cuttings*, or get a landscape company to drop off a pile of wood chips*, do that... put the chips and some size appropriate logs about a third of the way in... after soaking them (this can be done in the bin before you put the holes in or have an extra bin without holes, to soak the chips and cuttings sticks etc) ... then get a bag of Kellogg’s potting soil for less than ten shells... fill the bin and direct sow seeds that will likely do well for the season... use the lid to keep the seeds and seedlings moist and warm at first... ie cover at night... if necessary, remove in day after sprouting ... you don’t need a shovel, you won’t break the bank or your back... the bin can be moved in and out of the sun as needed... it can be raised eventually ... use a couple of old chairs you found in an alley, many options... if you don’t have a hose, a watering can would be helpful which can be gotten for under ten bucks. If you can, it might be a good idea to put in a couple cans of sardines from the dollar store down in between the layer of chips and soil... and a hand sized rake would be helpful and not necessary... at any rate, a person could make one or two of these bins every month for roughly 20 shells until you have as many as they want or need ... once you tell everyone you need bins, people will start giving them to you... and you will start finding all kinds of free stuff you can use as you go along ... if you ever have to move, you can take your garden with you too ... *wood chips and garden cuttings are best if they are a year old, but they don’t have to be... also the wood chips make it so you don’t have to water as much and act as a slow release fertilizer... and you don’t need to buy as much soil

[@jolyanpratt2350]

I just. Love what you do and you inspire me to do more Thank you David.

[@jpoornakumar5262]

I love watching your videos. Iam also inspired alot to do gardening. Great content. With lot of love from India.

[@sek4110]

I have bought 2 of your books and my friend sent another of your books. I also ordered seeds from your daughter (tomatoes)to support your family. I know it is not much but I want to help. I just planted a dwarf banana tree in my yard. I planted it where I can see it so I do not plant and forget :). I do not know what I am doing yet but hoping to figure it out here in Punta Gorda Florida. I am blessed to live in the same state as you!!! Thank God I have a well and my water is free!!!!!

[@davidthegood]

Thank you very much, Susan.

[@grammaellen4984]

David, love your humor & your info. I am a fellow frugal. I am trying to learn more about composting & I am trying to inspire others through my group "Gardening & Composting" to I have tried to download what you talked about "Start Composting today". However, the link isn't working. Can you send it to me? I would love to get it & be able to share it. thanks

[@ArtistCreek]

The hardest part is getting up from the chair that you've been staring at your garden area and just START. It doesnt have to be perfect. You dont need a pretty waist high raised bed, or even a 2 ft high pine grow box...you just need to dig up some dirt and plant...whether it be seeds or transplants. I plant a few transplants and mostly seeds. I've expanded my garden every year for the past 3 yrs. I'm behind right now. I got caught up in my head about needing to asd soil and compost to my existing beds... I should have just stuck them in the ground. I am doing that Wed ...just sticking them in the ground.I can add as i need to and not delay my garden growing.

[@siouxsiesiouxwilson7247]

Love this! X

[@sheadempsey6259]

My husband loves your videos. What is the song at the end of the videos? Where do I find this to add to my playlist? When I sound hound it nothing comes up. Please make my day. I love that song/sound!

[@sheadempsey6259]

Also, my husband would like your email, please.

[@davidthegood]

It's Sugarpie - you'll find it on the David The Good Tunes channel here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZ_HfYWkiL2Jb9E

[@shanemillard608]

Great video man. Love your attitudeA

[@Chastitythompson]

Awesome video, awesome music. So appreciate the time it takes to do these. 🙌🏼🙏🏼

[@valdastolk7175]

David why aren’t you mulching your beds to conserve water?

[@TheFarmDream]

Great work. Keep on sharing!

[@jude5815]

Yeyyy !!! BRISBANE Queensland Australia! Not sure you mean our Brisbane Do you have a City called Bris US ? Thank you for saving every one a hec of alot of time just brilliant you guys🌴🌊⛱️🍉🍎🍓🍠🥝🍌🍍

[@davidthegood]

Nope - I meant YOUR Brisbane, Jude! Thanks for stopping by.

[@jude5815]

@@davidthegoodThankyou for doing such a great service so helpful David worldwide Amazing you and your family.

[@tamararoberts9307]

Antique tools are far better to use than new ones

[@wilma6181]

Love watching. One question can this be done in haed clay that can be used to pave the highways and last forever.

[@berthaprince9097]

Good solid advice

[@russellradwanski5771]

Laughted when I saw the child labour, love it! Haha

[@biglou4452]

Love the video 🙏

[@nymalin]

20 seconds in you have me laughing. Thank you so much, I really appreciate it. :D

[@spindledreams]

I am sure you have heard it before but Mel Bartholomew of Square Foot gardening fame chose 4 foot for his perfect square size for the exact same reason. A normal person can reach halfway into the bed from all sides.

[@paulinaowiredu6932]

Very true.

[@dirtcheapgarden22]

Great intro.

[@joycehaines2055]

The reason for 3 ft. Path is to run a lawn mower down to keep weeds down maybe, keep on growing.

[@shashakeeleh5468]

Hi Dave! Meant to ask how long is that machete blade? I need a good machete but because my arms are short, I'm limited. (I'm catching up on all your videos. Been sick with Lyme flairs during that virus thingy, which I did NOT get.)

[@susanjordan2130]

Thank you.

[@karen-hillshomestead]

Love this video! :)

[@chriskincaid6035]

Thank You ...

[@ferferiify]

New subscriber's greetings from the heart of Germany. I enjoyed watching this video 👍👍

[@davidthegood]

Thank you, fery. I have German ancestors. Welcome!

[@tamararoberts9307]

Great advice & tips 👍 ty

[@tamararoberts9307]

David the Good Machete guy ❤

[@springbokmarine]

Most of our plants are suited for Mediterranean climate. Not a lot of that around the world, especially with fresh water

[@danielmarkworth2072]

I’m an Australian currently living in Canada, Ontario. I enjoy your channel. You have said you have lived in most growing climates. Have you lived / grown in a Tundra climate? Do you know of any gardeners you can recommend living in a zone 4-5 on KZbin/books to study? Thanks David.

[@terrycarkner1698]

Canadian permaculture legacy is a good one!

[@off-gridsimplyhappyrodriguez]

you are my hero

[@tamararoberts9307]

I'm 59 and have always preferred a shovel to a tiller

[@pattyarpaia4887]

Thank you from AZ zone 9b

[@michaelfindley1262]

Enjoyed the video so much that I just ordered the hat.

[@bobsmith-ud9xi]

your daughter is simply adorable

[@johnnyroadcrew3841]

Enjoyed the lesson and yes most of those things are in my journey here in the UK. Not all but a lot. Still longing to learn more though. Lovage (Levisticum officinale) is a nice one to grow. PS How did you know about my torture implements?

[@edward4467]

Nice ground

[@lightbender5605]

I am in Central Florida!!!

[@anamericanprofessor]

Great videos, enjoying the content. Are you in Alachua county by chance?

[@ZE308AC]

I eat cabbage,potatoes,tomatoes sweet potatoes, beans, watermelon, bananas. Yuca Root, cilantro, garlic and onion on the regular

[@cathyhanley8658]

31:22 I love you. You made me laugh out loud.

[@suzclarke]

Cracked up at about 10:15 hehe hehe 💕

[@tonyalogan3535]

Continue to learn more about growing and how to,

[@dannyworten5876]

Consider the width of your wheelbarrow when making a path

[@Austinandpup]

That young lady did a fine job. Ask her if she wants to visit uncle Austin and Aunt Jean.

[@youngdavinci36]

Congrats on the land, just did the same near clewiston. What area are you in?

[@michaele.4702]

Personally I think you should go 4ftx 4ft path, and then you can rotate out between being beds and being paths as need be, if you have much spare woody material drop that as bed fill and raise the bed higher.

[@ifyouloveChristyouwillobeyhim]

I like the idea of alternating paths and beds, but won't a year of using ground as path make it super hard and compact, and not good for planting?