[Rich72]

Having just taken over my new plot, I was just wondering if I need to manure it or not?
The previous owner has already dug it all over and it is relatively weed free at present. I have a friend with a horse and a HUGE pile of rotted manure. Do I put it on or what?

[Kleftiwallah]

There is actually someone on this planet who has taken over an allotment in a 'decent' condition!  I thought it was standard council practice to procrastinate for a few years until the allotment could not be seen for weeds!

If the manure is well rotted, I should divide your plot up into quarters.  Double dig one 1/4 putting manure in the bottom.  Spread manure over another 1/2 and cover.  Leave the last 1/4 for crops next year that cannot do with freshly manured soil.     Cheers,    Tony.

[Rich72]

Thanks Tony. Its not actually a council plot. Its on a private allotment association. The previous owner only wants to use a very small area so has given me the rest.

Another question if I may, the 1/4 thats to be double dug, is that for potatoes? and I presume that the 1/4 I leave manure free is for carrots and parsnips, is that right?

I am new to this and think I will need to ask many a seemingly daft question before I get the most out of my plot

[Kleftiwallah]

Bring on as many daft questions as you want !    

I would use the double dug area for runner and other beans, peas etc.  The covered area for spuds as during the winter the worms will have pulled a lot of the manure down into the soil for you and you just finish the job as you dig trenches to plant your spuds.  Yes you are correct, the un manured area is for carrots, parsnips and other 'rooty' veg' that may fork if the ground is too rich.       Cheers,    Tony.

P.S. If there is going to be any bare ground during the winter, I should look into green manures.  The winter rain hammering down onto the soil will not do it any good and may leach out valuable nutrients.      I'm using a mixture of Lupins and Alfalfa     Cheers,    Tony.

[Rich72]

can carrots and parsnips be grown with turnips? or do they need to be with the brassicas?

[Rich72]

Also, Im planning my plot using a four bed system. Some advice on if its right would be appreciated.

Bed 1. Potatoes. 1/2 for earlies followed by runner beans
                           1/2 for main crops

Bed 2. Sprouts, Broccoli, Kale, Cabbage

Bed 3. Onions, Garlic, Leeks

Bed 4. Carrots, Parsnips, Beetroot, Turnip (dependent on your answer to my previous question.

Thanks in advance. Want to get my head around what grows together and what I need to do with each bed. Also what to grow in the beds the following season. I keep reading about crop rotation and Im getting myself all confused with you can and cant grow after certain crops. Do I just dive in and hope for the best?

[mumofstig]

4 crop rotation is explained here, better than I could manage it 
http://www.allotment-garden.org/vegetable/crop-rotation/four-year-crop-rotation.php

[Rich72]

Still confused. What can I plant after the early pots have come up?

[Jamie Butterworth]

This year i put sweetcorn where my first earlies were

[mumofstig]

courgettes/pumpkins, (grown in pots for transplanting when spuds are lifted) dwarf green beans, salads, chard, spinach and sweetcorn.

out of the root crops only swede is a brassica.

I've just noticed that you have not mentioned peas or beans in your rotation beds 

[Rich72]

I was going to plant runner beans where early potatoes were after I dug them up. But the 4 year plan thing on here didnt mention planting anything after. Suppose will just have to trial and error

[dugless]

 Suppose will just have to trial and error
[/quote]

Funny enough I think thats what we all do.

[mumofstig]

I think you'd find it a bit late for runners after early spuds.

A lot of the people plant their leeks after their earlies, but this is wrong according to the rotation plan.

The thing to do is to try to follow rotation plans, but not to stick to them too rigidly if planting something in the 'wrong' place suits you & the plot at that moment. The rules aren't set in stone.

Just enjoy yourself 

[Nige2Plots]

I think you'd find it a bit late for runners after early spuds.

A lot of the people plant their leeks after their earlies, but this is wrong according to the rotation plan.

The thing to do is to try to follow rotation plans, but not to stick to them too rigidly if planting something in the 'wrong' place suits you & the plot at that moment. The rules aren't set in stone.

Just enjoy yourself 

That is so true