Crop rotation problem

[Finedon.Dandy]

When I get to planning my plot for next season, I know I am going to have a little problem;

We are now in year 4. First year we planted spuds lengthways (North to South) on one end of the plot.

Since then that section has been divided very roughly into two sections 1/3 by 2/3 (East to West) by a brick path. We were advised that due to sun direction we should plant the other way (East to West) so spuds were planted the second year in one half of the larger of the two sections.

This year we planted in the smaller of these two sections and they only just fitted in.

Next year I feel we cannot plant in anyway in that part of the plot as there has been spuds on most of the ground for either; two consecutive years or year one then year three. We do have one more section BUT it is quite a bit smaller than the section we used last year so there is no way they are going to fit.

Advice would be appreciated, thanks

Tammy

[Rocketron]

Grow them in bags or containers ?

[zazen999]

Did you have any problems with the potatoes?

I'd put some spuds in the section that you've got that hasn't been planted, and then supplement those with container grown spuds.

I'd also divide the plot into 4 even sections, even if they aren't properly marked out - or just run a 3 year rotation and be done with it.

[Finedon.Dandy]

I was thinking of subsidising with pots too.

The plot sizes (they are in our garden) and how we have divided them up are governed by the position of exsisting paths and the greenhouse so its immpossible to make them even sizes. We have made the plot more accessible by laying some bricks in rows to make extra (albeit thinner) paths. When we did this it made sense to lay them in relation to the exsisting paths and greenhouse. Once I alter part of the garden near the house, the herbs can go in their own bed and it will make this smallest bed a little bigger but not by very much. Right pain really!

Tammy

[lynda66]

if you've had no problems, i'd plant in the spare bit, and the rest where you had the first ones.

[zazen999]

Can you pop a photo on here for us to come up with any ideas?

[Finedon.Dandy]

Will do once I can find the magic camera to computer lead!

[Finedon.Dandy]

Pictures of the plot

Picture with greenhouse in shows;

Smallest plot is in front of greenhouse

Next biggest is to right of greenhouse

Largest is front right of the picture



Other picture shows;

The rest of the largest plot which is somewhat of an "L" shape.



The largest plot is also dominated over by a huge bush which I will soon be in the process of talking OH into chopping down as it takes so much light - shades most of the largest plot for most of the day. I wanted to keep it at first as its the only sense of maturity we have except for the hedgerow which I also want to get pruned at least or layed which would also give better light. Opinions on this would also be appreciated.

Tammy

[Finedon.Dandy]

OMG - these photos show just how weedy the plot has got - hope the vine will forgive me!

[zazen999]

*cracks knuckles to get down to business

Oh - just got to pop out for an hour - will get stuck in when I return.

Hopefully, there will be some ideas when I get back from others...

[Finedon.Dandy]

Yep - off on school run myself now! Hope for some words of wisdom upon my return. By the way if you all think I need to totaly restructure - I am willing to listen to whatever you say with a very open mind.

[Snadger]

I would suggest that the paths look to be easily moveable/resiteable? Re plan your garden allowing as many beds as you require for your prefered rotation (I use a four bed/crop rotation) and get away from the notion of annual crop rotation and embrace 'crop sequencing' i.e. each crop followed by a dissimilar crop but not necessarily on an annual rotation!

Well you did ask!

[zazen999]

Sorry, got waylaid doing actual work and cooking dinner.

I'd split the beds into much smaller ones, making in effect as many as you want, and do what Snadger says - just never following on like with like...and have a cycle for each smaller bed. Splitting them with bricks much as you have already done - you can have for instance 3 of each rotation making 12 beds, made from the 3 beds that you sort of have.

[Finedon.Dandy]

Thats sounds brilliant guys. Now just gotta find more bricks as not got any more fireplaces to knock down now!

[Snadger]

Thats sounds brilliant guys. Now just gotta find more bricks as not got any more fireplaces to knock down now!

You'll just have to embrace Tipology and do a few skip raids then won't you?