Rotation Groups

**BarleySugar** · 02-01-2010, 10:21 PM

According to my Allotment book the groups are (following on from each other)
Legumes and Pods - broad, french, runner beans, okra and peas
Brassicas - broccoli, sprouts, cauli, kohlrabi, kale, pak choi, radish, swede and turnip
Solanaceous, tuberous and roots - aubergine, beetroot, carrot, celery, celeriac, parsnip, potato, sweet potato, sweet pepper (chilli?) and tomato
Saladings, stem veg, the onion family and cucurbits (courgettes, squash, cues, pumpkins) can be fitted in where there is space, but still best not to grow in the same place every year.

I have read that, according to companion planting, onions do not do well with peas/beans

**binley100** · 02-01-2010, 10:36 PM

Originally posted by BarleySugar View Post

I have read that, according to companion planting, onions do not do well with peas/beans

That could possibly explain the poor show of onions this year. I had put it down to an impromptu haircut courtesy of the local bunny community

**BarleySugar** · 02-01-2010, 10:47 PM

That probably didn't help

**chris** · 03-01-2010, 09:22 AM

Thanks BarleySugar that's really helpful!

What's the correct terminology for what I was asking for, incase I need to checkup on crops later on?

**zazen999** · 03-01-2010, 09:24 AM

Originally posted by binley100 View Post

That could possibly explain the poor show of onions this year. I had put it down to an impromptu haircut courtesy of the local bunny community

I had the biggest onions ever after growing them right next to broadies all winter. I am not convinced that they grow badly together at all!

**gojiberry** · 03-01-2010, 10:20 AM

Personally I think people make to much of crop rotation. Don't get me wrong I do believe it is essential and I do rotate my crops around the allotment. However anyone who tries to keep their plot full for the whole year will at some stage break the rules of strict crop rotation. All I am trying to say is that it wont be the end of the world if it doesn't work out 100% accurate.

Ian

**zazen999** · 03-01-2010, 10:33 AM

We rotate the spuds. Everything else gets slotted in as and when.

I don't lime any beds that will have potatoes in it the next year. We are trying out Tattieman's bag method in one bed this year, if that works we won't even have to rotate the spuds!!!

**Flummery** · 03-01-2010, 10:37 AM

I don't stress about crop rotation - and wait till Snadger comes on! I do make sure I never grow the same crop in the same place for 3 years. Other than that, I don't worry. I don't want the same quantity of say, cabbages as I did peas. If I had 4 plots to rotate round, some would be squashed in and some blank and gappy.

It's mainly a matter of common sense.

**Hazel at the Hill** · 03-01-2010, 11:32 AM

Originally posted by Flummery View Post

.....If I had 4 plots to rotate round, some would be squashed in and some blank and gappy.

I have 4 even sized plots to rotate round, and if there areas where crops aren't growing, I sow green manure.

Sometimes I have something in the 'wrong' place, but as long as it generally goes to plan, I'm not worried.

**vegnut** · 03-01-2010, 05:53 PM

I totally agree. Apart from spuds and onions, i dont bother too much. If i get them in different places then thats a bonus.

**Flummery** · 04-01-2010, 12:13 PM

I think it was more important when people had to get the most from the soil and follow nitrogen fixers with gross feeders. There weren't so many varieties that were disease resistant years ago, either. Now we can lash on the manure or home made compost and buy cabbages that have resistance to club root - etc.

**Alison** · 04-01-2010, 12:53 PM

I'm pretty keen to keep my crop rotation working fairly well but obviously not 100%. It's worth remembering that tomatoes and spuds are the same family and suffer from the same diseases so don't follow one on from the other. Also, you'll be very lucky to get aubergines going well outside where you are so suggest you grow those in pots.

**organic vic** · 05-01-2010, 01:00 PM

Originally posted by chrismarks View Post

Following on from my sweet corn thread - finidng this a bit more difficult to identify which belong to which groups..

The list below is what seeds we have, and what I'd also like to grow.. some I know, others I am not sure of - any chance of some fill in the blanks please?

I've three main beds, probably going to build another one once I've cleared more space... I also have smaller, square beds (probably going to use to grow spuds in I think, not sure yet - so in total I have 5 beds, albeit 2 are small).

So the groups I was going to go with, not sure if they're the correct names are:

Root, Brassica, and Peas/Beans - others in pots I'd guess.

Aubergine
Beet Root - Root
Broccoli - Brassica
Carrot - Root
Chilli (maybe in pots, not sure yet?)
Courgette
Garlic
Kale - Brassica
Leek - Peas/Beans
Lettuce / Mix Leafs - Tucked in where I can?
Parsnips (possibility � not sure.. depends if I have the room after I've identified the above)
Pepper
Potato - Root
Pumpkin
Runner Beans - Peas/Beans
Spring Onion - Peas/Beans (prob sow in with carrots though)
Sweet corn - As per my other thead, where ever I have room

Tomato - Not sure, most probably in pots?

Thanks again!!

Root - garlic,carrots,parsnip,onions,shallots,beetroot,spring onion
Legumes - peas,beans,celery,chard,lettuce,leeks,chickpeas
brassicas - turnips,kohl rabi,cabbage,cauliflower,PSB,calabrese,brussels sprouts,radish
everything else - sweetcorn,pumpkin,squash,pepper,artichoke,cucmber,tomatoes
this is my crop rotation but some books recommend potatoes on their own. I grow tomatoes and potatoes in pots

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