Rotation

[martini]

Hi - I'm new to all this and am currently turning my back garden into a little allotment/kitchen garden with raised beds. I've been reading about rotation and am a bit confused because some books say I have to plant swedes and turnips with my brassicas and others say I can put them in with other root crops (I plan on having a bed of potatoes on their own). Can you please advise which is best? Thanks

[dexterdoglancashire]

hi martini - welcome the the Vine! Earlier this year I turned my back garden into a veg plot and am now reaping the rewards - very satisfying! Do keep everyone updated on your progress!
Yes, I was a little confused at first re: rotation - I very carefully drew a little plan of what and where I was going to plant things - then as things grew I filled in the gaps with whatever was ready to transplant - so much for my careful planning!
I reccommend The Veg & Herb Expert by Dr Hessayon - its become my bedtime reading! But re: rotation it gives the following advice:

Roots - beetroot, carrot, chicory, jerusalem artichoke, parsnip, potato, salsify, scorzonera - do not add manure; do not lime; rake in fertilizer two weeks before sowing or planting.
Brassicas - broccoli, sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, kohl rabi, radish, swede, turnip - add manure or compost, lime if it needs it, take in fertilizer two weeks before sowing or planting.
Others - aubergine, bean, capsicum, celeriac, celery, cucumbner, endive, leaf beet, leek, lettuce, marrow, onion, pea, spinach, sweetcorn, tomato - add manure or compost, lime if it needs it, and general fertilizer as above.
The plan shows year 1 roots, year 2 others, year 3 brassicas.
Year 1 brassicas, year 2 roots, year 3 others.
Year 1 others, year 2 brassicas, year 3 roots. (hope my description makes sense!)

Hope this helps! Although there are lots of Vine members who are much more experienced than me, and will correct any mistakes Ive made/ share the benefit of their wisdom on this matter. I'm currently thinking about my next years crops so will try my best to adhere to the above advice!. dexterdog

[martini]

Thanks Dexterdog - that's great - glad to know turning the garden over to a veg plot is worth the hard work. I've got Dr Hessayon's book - which is already well-thumbed but I'd also read other stuff which confused me! Progress so far - well we're just getting ready to take off the lawn and double dig which I suppose will be a job and a half! The only fruit/veg I've got so far are 10 strawberry plants which were donated. I think I'll follow your advice and stick with the "Expert". Although we're just in the planning stages I'm getting really obsessed - even brought home two polytunnel cloches from our hols in France (as well as the wine of course!). They were going really cheap in a hypermarket. I notice you're not far away - I'm in Chorley! Will keep you all posted

[dexterdoglancashire]

Hiya martini - yes, just down the road! We've lived near St Catherines Hospice for 11 years now and I was so fed up with the wilderness of the, albeit small, garden - took things in hand earlier this year and at easter (couldnt do it any earlier coz of the weather!) and OH and I spent a weekend digging up the dead lawn and unmentionables (we have a dog - Dexter in case you havent already guessed!).
Made sure for obvious reasons I had dug down far enough! Then I divided the garden up and dug it over with a spade that has 3 or 4 prongs sticking out of it, it also has a peddle - stick prongs in the ground then press the peddle and it breaks up the ground a treat! (got it brand new from the LEP on a wednesday night). Then I spent ages getting the soil to the right "consistency" (can't think of the technical term!) and hey presto!
It can be really hard work, but WOW! it's brill when you go round the veg section at Tesco going !I dont need that, grown my own.....don't need that, grown my own! as I did last weekend!
I'd also reccommend a subscription to GYO - brill advice in a format and language that us newbies can understand!
Actually, I have a few spare packets of seeds, and you can have them if you want - it you let me have your address via the personal message thingy, I'll put them in the post to you.
Please feel free to ask me for any help! and w'll try my best
While I remember, try the garden centre just outside Coppull on the main road, left hand side for veg plants - thats where I got my peppers and chillis from - super! they also have a vast range of seeds look forward to hearing from you. Dexterdog

[nick the grief]

Hi Martini,

Rotatins fairly simple. Another good book or two if your feeling flush (I know what you folks from Lancs are like )

Grow your own vegetables by Joy Larkom
Raised beds by Pauline Pears

They are both widely available. ALso have a look at this, it may help you as well.

http://warkcom.net/live/cme2052.htm

& click on the First steps at the bottom of the page.

[martini]

Thanks Nick the Grief - had a look at the site and it solves the problem. Also waiting for another book from Amazon - "The Complete Vegetable Gardener" by Jane Courtier - so I'm not that tight!

We're taking our lawn up in the next week or so (weather permitting) - do you know if we can use the turfs (turned upside down and left in black bin bags to rot down) as soil for the raised beds? Just seem a shame to chuck it all