Well, I have a much smaller potager, in raised beds. One problem I have is that they are not accessible from all sides. I find I have trouble reaching all the way back, and these beds are only 3 ft x 4ft.

I didn't stain, but I now wish I had lined them with landscape cloth as I have had trouble with aggressive weeds coming in from the neighbor's yard, tree roots and rodents. I plan to remove the soil and line them this spring.

I use the soil mix recommended by the "square ft garden" guy : equal parts vermiculite, peat moss and compost (cow manure)because the native soil is a very heavy clay.

Hope this helps!

I remember either in the square foot or the organic forum that people used linseed oil mixed with wood ashes (I think) to treat the lumber for their beds. It's worth a search.

My beds aren't raised, but I've had the one long- or several short-beds debate myself. I've settled on shorter beds for now, because it's easier to arrange plants with similar needs in them. Also, I don't have to go all the way around the garden just to get a shovel that I left on the wrong side of the bed. On the downside, I do regret losing a little bit of gardening space.

If you can't decide, you could buy corner stakes for raised beds that allow you the option of changing things around. I've not tried them myself, and they're a bit expensive. But it does keep your options open. (See link, about 3/4's way down the page. Many sites offer these joints, btw.)

Good luck with your plans.

Here is a link that might be useful: corner joints

Emmie, I, too, am pondering the same questions. I intend to make my beds 4 x 8 as I read that one can reach two feet in from each side comfortably and it's not so long as to be inconveniet as mentioned by Wolfe. You said you were having some soil problems and I wondered if the long expanse of concrete is having an effect on the ph of your soil. You might consider a soil test. Really, with the broad array of veggies you're growing, you sound like a wonderful gardener. Best of luck.

Oh, and Wolfe's idea on a landscaping cloth liner...I'll bet that can make a huge difference.

emmie,

y'all sound like you know what y'all are doing but heres a couple of old threads to check out:
how big?

lasagna gardening