Rotations

[peeejaay]

Hi All,
I need help please. This is probably going to be a lengthy post (sorry!)
I have a large allotment of 15 rods (actually 3 half plots together) I have divided the allotment up into 6 equal-ish plots. One is put down to perennial veg like asparagus, globe artichokes etc. Four others are rotated each year. They contain as follows: Plot 1, Year 1, potatoes, Plot 2, year 1, root veg, plot 3, year 1, brassicas and plot 4, year 1, legumes. The fifth plot so far has had salad veg, sweetcorn and squashes.
Year 2, I intend to move all the plots along so that potatoes will be in plot 2 and legumes in plot 1. My question is how do I insert plot 5 into the rotation and also how do I work out what to plant where for winter plantings, i.e. I want to plant autumn onion sets and can't decide if they should go in plot 2 where I've grown this years roots (many of which are still growing) or put them in plot 3 where brassicas are currently growing but roots will go in next spring. I also can't get my head round which green manures to grow over winter in which plot, should I plant field beans where my legumes have been growing or where they will grow next year etc.
I tried to use the website Growveg (?) but couldn't get on with it very well and also can't really afford the subscription to it.
I have read numerous books but none ever answer my questions fully and some contradict others so I'm getting more confused than ever. If anyone can give me definitive answers I would be eternally grateful! Thanks in anticipation.
PJ

[Snadger]

Hi peeejay and welcome to the vine.

First of all, gardening is supposed to be enjoyable so loosen up and don't worry too much about rotations.
I can only explain how I do it, but it works for me.

There is crop rotation which I use and ANNUAL crop rotation which can get very complicated and in my view goes against the the rotational principals.

As long as you plant a dissimilar crop to the one thats just been lifted ad infinitum you won't have any problems.

Always have seedlings or seeds/corms of various vegetables ready to plant in the ground vacated by a dissimilar crop.
Lift the crop, muck the area, (unless it's for carrots or parsnips) and plant the next crop.
What could be simpler?

Apart from anything else a standard crop rotation ONLY alows you to grow the same amount of, brassicas,legumes and roots etc and your taste is bound to have a bias towards one type of crop.

Each year is different and mother nature dictates whether a crop will fail or mature at the wrong time so just go with the flow........one crop out, muck and one dissimilar crop in!

[Capsid]

The crop rotation is more of a guideline than a code (POTC anyone?) as long as you don't follow the same veg year on year you will get crops. Why can't you include plot 5 in the rotation? Just move plot 4 legumes to plot 5 next year and the salad, sweetcorn plot grows in plot 1. I'd put overwintering onions (and broad beans?) in any spaces but perhaps in before the root crops or legumes which can be sown a bit later in the season.

I haven't grown green manures so can't really answer the question. I prefer to dig lots of compost in to improve the soil structure and rely on chicken pellets to fertilise the soil.

[Two_Sheds]

Yes, I think Snadger's right.
The thing that causes confusion is knowing when the year starts? January, when nothing is growing? March, when stuff is? Or September, when most of the years crops are over?


As long as you don't plant anything in the same bed 2 years running you'll be doing OK. Keep it simple.

I have 4 beds (areas really, not beds - I just quartered my allotment)
1) roots & spuds
2) alliums
3) legumes, squash & corn
4) brassicas

I do have permanent crops dotted around, (rasps in bed 3, blackcurrant in 2, rhubarb in bed 1) but I just ignore them.
If you were really organised and starting from scratch, you'd probably build a separate area for permanent crops.

[bluemoon]

I'd follow the legumes with the brassicas as they like the nitrogen, otherwise it seems fine and at the end of the day, it's your plot.

[zazen999]

The year starts when I put the garlic and onions in for next spring. Which is about now.

My current rule of thumb is move the spuds and brassicas around each time you plant them out, and try to keep something in the ground at all times.

If you aren't loose with the plan, then you end up with empty beds for too long.