[Wheelchair Gardener]

Hi all,

Along with our allotment, we have half a dozen small raised beds in our back garden that have served us well over the last 3 years, primarily producing Beetroot, Parsnip, Carrot , pumpkin, brussels sprouts and kale and we were wondering if it would be wise to leave them fallow for this year and let them rest?
Or is there something we could grow in them that would help regenerate the soil?

Thanks in advance

[richyrich7]

I'd be tempted with a green manure like alf alfa (sp?) or mustard.

or you could remove some of the soil and add fresh

[PAH48]

Hi..Various dwalf beans would certainly add nitrogen to the soil.
Perhaps a few tatties?
Personally from what you have mentioned, previously grown, I'd consider other ideas,
rotation rather than leave it fallow.
Basically its your decision, best of luck for the coming season.
Me ! I'd go with me instincts and plant....add some muck/ compost
go for it........

Bye PAH

[Christine]

I've got raised beds for strawberries and herbs. I work in plentiful amounts of compost either in autumn or spring to keep the level up as well as to keep the soil in good shape. Also use some form of plant food through the season.

[SG6]

Seems a shame not to use them, so I would go with the idea of adding some compost/manure to the beds. Then perhaps adding something at the end of each season. So keeping them "topped up".

I dug in used compost from large pots to give a better structure to mine, then I threw lots of pelleted chicken manure on. The compost added to the general height. Just have to find out how well it all works.

Problem at the moment is that it is too cold to do anything and by the time it gets warmer it will be getting towards planting time for some items.

[Salmo]

What is the problem with your raised beds? Has the soil run out of steam or do you have problems with weeds/disease/pests?

If they have run out of steam then add manure and, if you are not a pure organist, something like growmore.

Could it be that the soil has become acid and needs lime?

[zazen999]

I don't see beans/peas amongst the crops you've grown there - don't you grow these in a rotation at all?

[woodburner]

What do you mean by 'fallow'? Just leaving them to the weeds is a bad idea and leaving them bare (and weeding them) is not much better. I suppose you could cover them with black plastic, but that's still rather pointless.
You need to sow something, whether it's green manure, veg, or flowers.   Otherwise you are just wasting a year's growing time. 

With a bit of rotation, regular mulching, and sometimes a bit of lime, there should be no need to leave the ground idle.   

[Wheelchair Gardener]

Thanks for the replies, after looking at them we have decided to go with runner beans.