soil and crop rotation question

[Oleander]

I have a narrow bed bordering my patio on two sides, backed by walls. The pictures attached should demonstrate what I mean.

I have been really successful with the Gardener's Delight and Marmande tomatoes that I have grown there this year. I've harvested over 50lb's of toms from eight plants so far, and there loads more still to come.(And that doesn't include the GD's that never made it as far as the kitchen)

The walls already have wire supports fixed to them, which have been really useful for supporting the toms - the GD have reached up to 7 ft high. I think the previous house owners grew climbing roses there. The borders face South and South East and get the sun until late afternoon.

So, for all these reasons, this is the best site in my garden for growing toms.

What should I do to the soil over the winter so that I can plant toms there again next year? Is there a green manure or overwintering veg. that will overcome the crop rotation issue? Or should I compost it and leave it? I have access to seaweed and/or rotted horse manure - would either of these be any good?

Thanks in advance


Oleander

[Kristen]

Change the soil.

One route would be to put all your compost into the bed next year, then spread that onto the other beds the next year. Your Toms will have the benefit of fresh compost each year, and it will be easier to work than having to change "soil".

Perhaps have a separate compost heap for anything that comes off Toms, Spuds, Etc. so that doesn't go into the Tom bed next year - potentially carrying Tom disease with it.

[Geordie]

I would dig out at least a foot, ideally two, of the soil and use elsewhere, this is to avoid what is called soil sickness, from growing the same plant in the same soil continually. I would put the manure in the bottom of the trench and then fill with new topsoil. Add seaweed mixed with the soil for the top six inches or so. Next year seaweed washed of its salt makes an excellent mulch around the base of tomato plants....think viagra!

[kentvegplot]

Well, I know the official advice is to change the soil but I remember reading (think i was in Bob Flowerdew's 'No Work Garden') that, in reality, you can get away with growing toms in the same soil for several years, even in a greenhouse. You might want to check this out first before you do all that digging!

[Oleander]

Enormous thanks to kentvegplot - just taken the book that you recommended out of the library, and it says you can use the same soil for up to 15 years

So tomorrow I'll go to the beach for some seaweed to wash and then dig in once the final toms have come out (that's if I can put the book down - it looks excellent)