Using ground that's had a problem

[Dorothy rouse]

I pulled up Broad beans yesterday, cos they were suffering from Rust and possibly Brown spot, can I use the ground for other veg, ? Was thinking leeks? Or should I be treating it in some way?

[FB.]

It's difficult, bordering on impossible, to treat the soil.
Not all veg or fruit are affected by the same pests or diseases so you should be able to find something that will grow there.
Besides: if a neighbouring plot had diseased plants but didn't remove them your plants would constantly be under attack and you'd have to find something else that would grow there.

[Bill HH]

One of the benefits of container gardening is that you can throw the soil away and sterilise the pot. You have no such options in your case. Can you afford to leave it un-cropped till next spring? or perhaps sow green manure so you are at least improving the soil while it is out of production. One way to combat disease is to feed your crops very well and pay extra attention to watering, a very healthy crop is much less vulnerable to disease.

[Nicos]

I think if you keep away from the alliums, you could use that area for something else .
Here- have a look at this...it does suggest which plants to avoid there....

http://www.which.co.uk/documents/pdf...les-153702.pdf

( I would add garlic to that list too )

[Jeanied]

According to the RHS broad bean rust and chocolate spot are species specific and don't affect french beans or runners. What do you follow your beans in with your rotation? Mine would be roots so I reckon you have a range to choose from.

[Dorothy rouse]

Thank you all.

Really need the space Bill. Don't have any spare ground, probably that was what caused the problem in first place, planted too close together, they were doing really well, but it also been very warm here.

Will try Leeks and maybe some other winter veg, cabbage maybe, and garlic.

[Nicos]

I really think garlic and leeks could be a problem!! ..mind you, I'm more than happy to be proved wrong!

[Dorothy rouse]

I really think garlic and leeks could be a problem!! ..mind you, I'm more than happy to be proved wrong!

How about beetroot, parsnip, carrot, turnip?

[Nicos]

I think those should be fine!

[roitelet]

How about beetroot, parsnip, carrot, turnip?

That sounds fine!

[FB.]

One of the benefits of container gardening is that you can throw the soil away .

We do this with raised beds. They are filled with raw compost and grow potatoes in year one. Then grow something different in year two. Then the side is removed from the raised bed in year three or four and the contents hoed out and scattered around other plants. The raised beds are then re-filled with fresh raw compost and the cycle starts again.