[Bettina]

I would love to know what the best follow on crop is after tomatos.

At some point, we were told you should plant tomatos always in the same spot, because the soil will not like other plants afterwards.

However, reading the John's allotment diary shows that that does not seem to be the case.

So which veg would you recommend to plant after tomatos?

Thanks in advance for any information.

[arugula]

Hi again!

Plants from the same family should be avoided in a rotation due to similar nutrient requirements. In the case of tomatoes, these may be crops such as potatoes or peppers. One suitable for following on from tomatoes, would be brassicas.

[Trillium]

Some folk do plant tomatoes in the same spot year after year, but it also builds up the same problem pests and diseases for that very reason, which is why crops really should be rotated as Argyllie mentioned.

It's the amount of nutrient left in the rotation which determines which crop would better suit as followup. Not all plants need a lot of nutrients every year which is why rotation came about. Brassicas don't need as much as tomatoes do so they fit in perfectly, simply add a bit of lime and heel in the new plants well so they don't topple over.

[Bettina]

Thank you both for the information, that is very helpful!

[solway cropper]

Just a thought but toms are happy growing in containers then you don't need to worry about what follows. I grow all mine, greenhouse and outdoor, in containers which means they don't have to figure in any rotation plans.

[TheSpartacat]

I've rotated with space saving in mind - making sure the ground i've cleared so far hasn't been sitting idle... so popped in my overwintering onions and garlic when my tomato plants came out- they don't need much feeding, so i've read...

Next summer, when the onions and garlic come out, it'll be time to plant out my spring cabbages and kales, so they'll probably in that bed... Quick turn-around of space.... I'm sure I'll hit a brick wall with that theory of crop rotation somewhere down the line!! 

[DD.]

I've rotated with space saving in mind - making sure the ground i've cleared so far hasn't been sitting idle... so popped in my overwintering onions and garlic when my tomato plants came out- they don't need much feeding, so i've read...

I always give mine a dose of chicken manure once they start growing in the spring.

[Bettina]

Thank you to all for your kind replies.

I live in southern Spain, so our growing seasons are a bit different, I just pulled the tomatoes up mid December after the first really torrential rains. Until then, I still had crop.

I guess onions and garlic for next year will be great in those beds. And carrots in between to discourage pests.

[DD.]

Could you put your location in your profile Bettina please?

It can make a lot of difference when giving advice, especially if you not in the same country!

[Bettina]

Done, thank you for pointing that out to me. I did not know I could add the location in my profile.

[DD.]

Thanks Bettina.

In this case it wouldn't really matter as it not a time dependant matter, but often it does. It's always nice to see members outside the UK as well.

[arugula]

Just a thought but toms are happy growing in containers then you don't need to worry about what follows.

That's how we grow them here.

[DD.]

I don't - well some of them in the greenhouse, but I grow a lot direct in the soil down the plot.

[Bettina]

For us, tomatoes in containers is not really feasible, they dry out too quickly and will require even more water than they already do, in the hot summers here.

[TheSpartacat]

For us, tomatoes in containers is not really feasible, they dry out too quickly and will require even more water than they already do, in the hot summers here.

Ah, you're from Jimena de la Frontera!! I've been there- last Summer. Stunning stunning part of the world!! Didn't want to leave! Stayed in Grazalema park on Lake Zahara and then in Tarifa for the second week.
I was constantly wondering how people managed to grow a lot of things there- so SO dry in summer! It put my moaning about the hot weather drying out my peas in the UK into perspective!