Rotation

[bluensm]

I'd like to grow my veg in a four year rotation, like they say in all the books, as it sounds like a good idea to me - reduce the likelihood of things getting hit by the same pests and diseases, etc. However, the allotment I've inherited has been grown a bit randomly and doesn't seem to have been following any kind of scheme really.

Will it matter too much if I start afresh this year? I was thinking of not growing exactly the same as this year but some areas may have a veg from the same group in it again so that I can bring some order to the chaos!

It's all very exciting and I can't wait to get out there . I've grown veg before but nothing on this scale so it's slightly daunting. I guess I've been lucky in that I know what was grown on the allotment the previous two years, some preople wouldn't know at all.

Thanks!

[Green Aura]

The main problem are the brassicas. As long as you don't grow them in the same place (danger of getting clubroot). That's really important because once you get clubroot in an area you can't use it again for brassicas for many years.

Most other groups are more easygoing, I think.

Have you got raised beds - it makes rotation a lot easier. I do a 5-year rotation, putting a green manure on the fifth bed to let it lie fallow and replenish some of the goodness, but I only have fairly small beds (~1m2) and lots of them so it seems easier somehow.

[Bluemoon]

I inherited my first plot from a very good gardener but who had a fairly ad-hoc attitude to crop rotation. I'm sure he knew how and where things should be, but it confused the hell out of me. I was constantly trying to remember what had gone where, then trying to plant accordingly. It made those first years very difficult. I then had to give the plot up due to my OH's work commitments. Later we took over a largely overgrown plot and finally were able to lay out the beds how we wanted. Looking back I wish I'd just ignored the planting on that first plot and gone my own sweet way. It would have made things far easier and might even have made the difference between keeping it and giving up when things became difficult time-wise. After all, if I'd taken it on in mid-winter I would have had far less idea about what was planted where and would have had no choice but to carry on to my own plan. One year shouldn't make too much difference about pests and diseases, but, like Green Aura, I'd be wary of planting brassicas in the same place twice. So, decide where next years cabbages are going and plan the rest around that and you should be Ok. Good luck.

[Helsbells]

I have to admit I just plant things anywhere on my allotment. I have a fenced off area so anything that it likely to get eaten by rabbits has to go there otherwise I just sort of plant things whereever I fancy, but making sure its not the same thing as the year before.

[evelyn]

Don't judge me , but i have a rather unusual way planting, i have shaped boarders, like flower beds but i plant up with veg insted they look very pritty as well as beeing very tasty, i tend to put thing where they will look good and get the best light but i have my brasicas on a 5 year cycle, i have a large-ish garden but not large enough to risk club root or any of the other nastys, my dad rotates on a 4 year cycle., and my friend the allotment kid rotates on 4 year cycle as well.

If you are realy worried about it try growing your brasicas in deep troughs next season, my mum grows sprouts in troughs on her balcony and the do really well.

Hope this helps a little

Eve

[jenko]

my alotment on my land hadnt been used for around thirty years, so i didnt know were to plant anything, but my grandad did work on the property that my dad ownes, and then gave me an insight into how and were to plant things, becauses he could remember down to the last weed, were everything went, all be it that when i took him back to the plot we cudnt really see it at the time, due to thirty odd years of no gardening.

i personally move my crops every two years, as i tend to refresh the soil, or add to it quite often.

[bluensm]

Thanks for all the comments. I've come up with a plan now and have made sure the brassica's are ok! I think some of the bean family might still be in the same kind of place but never mind!

Have you got raised beds - it makes rotation a lot easier. I do a 5-year rotation, putting a green manure on the fifth bed to let it lie fallow and replenish some of the goodness, but I only have fairly small beds (~1m2) and lots of them so it seems easier somehow.

I'd love some raised beds but no, not yet. Maybe when I've scrounged enough wood from somewhere....

I think I'll try some green manure on one of the beds overwinter (grazing rye). Never done it before but sounds like a good way to protect the soil from the weather. And less hard work weeding for me

[Bluemoon]

If you have to leave something in the same place then beans are your best bet as they suffer from very few pests and diseases that are soil born and the black flies will find your broadies wherever you put them. It sounds to me like you've worked it out fine.