![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
Many of the plot holders on our site are cultivating considerably less than 50% of their plot. In some cases more like 25% ! I do get the impression some of them are at heart frustrated civil engineers. Spend the first year mostly building sheds, compost bins and raised beds. Sow a few seed, fail to tend them and control the weeds, see it revert to how it was when they started, give up. Mind you, our bit of Bedfordshire is not as described above - it is sticky brickmaking clay. Our site is still sodden, and my plot is at the lower end. At the lowest part of my plot, I almost considered for a moment making a raised bed
![Embarassed :oops:](./images/smilies/icon_redface.gif)
I can't imagine the orientation makes a lot of difference. I would go on what makes best use of the space.