Reuse same bean trench?

[Calvados]

OK or not to reuse same bean trenches if reloaded with more compost or better to move and use rotation instead?
Regards
Calvados

[Thelma Sanders]

I tend to use the same place for a few years and then move the metal frame.

Some of the old boys always grow in the same place without any ill effects that I can see

[Dorothy rouse]

I've planted my beans in the same place, added a bit of stuff to ground, they like it there and get lots of sun! ( famous last words!)

[WendyC]

I would agree that beans are one crop you don't need to rotate. They don't seem to be susceptible to the range of soil borne pests and diseases, such as those for brassicas. Only slugs and snails seem to like them and they will hunt them down anywhere you put them!

[Calvados]

My father- in- law always laid loads of newspaper in the bottom of the trench. He was a barber and a uni lecturer told him to dig in all the hair into his allotment.

[Nannysally99]

We have used the same bean trench for some 25 years.
Always look after the soil though

[Vince G]

Used the same trench for my climbing beans for years now (but only really because I can't be bothered with the hassle of moving the heavy metal frame made from scaffolding poles).

I usually take a bit of soil out and add as much muck and compost as I can pack in.

However, as regards the plot that is growing the dwarf french beans and all varieties of peas, I include them in my general plot rotation. They follow potatoes, and go before brassicas.

[Bren In Pots]

Another here who used the same spot for runner beans.

[rollingrock]

the only reason to move peas and beans is usually to give the the soil a break from other plants.

[Penellype]

I would move peas because pea moths pupate in the soil, so growing peas on the same piece of ground can make this pest worse. I'm not aware of anything similar that affects beans.

[roitelet]

My Dad used the same bean trench for years and years. Every, autumn he would dig it out and over winter all the vegetable cast offs went in it. In the spring he covered the rubbish and planted his beans. The only thing he ever grew and he never had any trouble.

[Jonny.D]

Same place, dig it out and add new compost every year.

[Mr Bones]

The way I understand it the same bean trench is used because fungus builds up in the soil to form a symbiotic relationship with the beans. The fungus brings up nutrients from about five feet down and passes it to the bean roots where in return the bean roots pass nutrients gained from the air down to the fungus. Older gardeners would "salt" a new trench with soil from an old trench which would start the new trench off.

[Calvados]

Thank you for all replies

Another here who used the same spot for runner beans.

SO

What do you all dig in to the trench ?

Compost

Horse manure

Peat or what ?

[roitelet]

Anything you have that will retain moisture and add nutrients. I wouldn't buy anything especially certainly not peat.