Hello everyone, I hope you're all well and enjoying this beautiful time when our eagerness levels may be through the roof. I know mine are.
Regarding the title. It may seem a little odd, but I've planned out most of my 2021 greenhouse, trellis' and beds (apart from one area, which I like to use as an impulse/experiment space), and have found most of the full sun outdoor areas are devoted to beans. My chilies, "cukes" and "tom's" are in the greenhouse, and various onions and herbs as fillers. But I find myself thinking ahead.
I grew beans last year in a few of the same spots as this years crops will be, but the areas were grass for... all of my adult life, I guess. I understand reasons for crop rotation, but on looking at the subject more deeply; it would seem the actual risk of disease is disproportionate to the level of banter and fearmongering out there. Like most other things in life.
It seems more aimed at the agricultural scale, and the cost of maintaining the soil qualities that you would need for the long term. Not exactly the same as spending twenty odd quid and doubling up to buy 6 bags of multi-purpose compost in a 3 for 2 BS deal.
But, if I have a reasonable year, I will have fresh beans and peas to last, and later, enough bush beans to dry and keep me happy well into 2022. But then what?
Bah... long ramble for a simple enough question, but I feel the context matters. I love my beans, and don't have the space to rotate crops as well as I might like. My chilies will do their thing in the kitchen, but what could I possibly grow to replace beans next year, if I do plan to be prudent?
Space, handsomeness, productivity, nutrition, wide range of use in cooking... what could replace the beans?
Any suggestions would be very appreciated. I ask now because time is ticking, and what free time I do get... I might need several months to look into alternatives and come up with some plan, haha.
Regards