Brief conversation with Bill the next door tenant about crop rotation earlier this week.
My question: "What do you think about crop rotation Bill? You always have your runner beans in the same place."
His answer: "I've grown runner beans in the same place on this allotment for 41 years. And on that allotment over there I've grown 'em in the same place for 25 years. And they've always done well. I just add a bit of manure, bit of compost, in the ground every year. I don't need to move 'em."
Follow-up question: "What about your other veg? do you move them?"
His answer: "Not really. Grow the onions pretty well the same place. I've had to move some of the potatoes this year. Otherwise everything grows where it's put. Just feed the soil and it grows."
He grows the most beautiful vegetables; wonderful crop of pumpkins and squashes, always plentiful greens, leeks, tomatoes, lettuces - everything he grows, grows well.
So what do you think? Do you rotate? Is it necessary on a small plot?
About Me
- Scattered Gardener
- I love my garden and am a passionate gardener from March to November each year, resting in winter. I want to become a better gardener and hope to achieve that through reflection and writing. I welcome comments and ideas and hope this blog will generate shared experience and ideas. Living in SW London/ North Surrey borders where I have a modest ornamental garden plus a tenancy on the local allotment site. My favourite public garden is Beth Chatto's; also enjoy regular visits to Wisley RHS. Favourite garden centre at Woodcote Green, near Wallington - huge range of excellent qulaity plants, nice cafes and the staff are knowledgeable and helpful. I love to read Guardian Weekend gardening articles, The Garden magazine and Gardener's World, so you may detect their influence sometimes...
3 comments:
My allotment next door neighbour's the same. Everything's always on the same spot and always crops well, including potatoes.
I know that if I did the same I'd get every single pest and disease known to man and more!
There just seems to be some people (or plots!) where the rules don't apply.
It's not fair is it?
The other thing, especially about the beans in the same place all the time, is that they are supposed to add nitrogen to the soil and feed the greens that should follow them on. I spose it's likely that he follows his broad and french beans with greens, maybe there is some rotation over the season, just that the runners are always in the same patch.
I've had beans in the same spot for two years once but that was leaving them grow from the roots and they did well. As well in fact as those on another plot.
Otherwise I am for rotation. The Old Farmer's Almanac certainly is.
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