[Stratts]

I've worked out that my actual growing area of the allotment will be 4m (13ft) wide x 26m (85ft) long.

After reading up on crop rotation on here I reckon the 4 year plan looks like the simplest for me to follow as a noob.

Do you guys think 4 areas approx 4m wide x 6.5m long will be ok for that system to grow a good variety of fruit and veg?

I'm trying to draw up a plan ready for next year so I know what areas to feed, lime, compost, etc,

Cheers

[TerryB]

Does this exclude the area used for:-paths, hut, fixed beds (strawberries etc) and compost bins.
Normal 4 year rotation does not include fruit which is nomally in your fixed beds.

[Stratts]

Oh yeah what a plank, the path is outside this size but forgot bout compost bin, leaf mould and a comfrey plot.

Never realised the fruit would be static so I'll draw up another plan.

I'd say I'm gonna be left with about 70ft long x 13ft wide for veg rotation - Maybe 4 bays of 15ft x 13ft to allow for room between, etc

[TerryB]

Hi Stratts
Assuming you are going for traditional open plot areas (not raised beds) you will not have to leave any space between the area's because the gap left between rows will be big enough for you to walk along.
Just put a marker between each area and make a simple drawing of what is planted were each year. You will forget what was plant in each area after a couple of years.
Good luck and enjoy. 

[Stratts]

Ah yes another good point thanks mate it'll be traditional plots.  That'll gain me another 10ft I guess, happy days

[Kristen]

I find I need more area for Brassicas than others. They are large plants ...

Spuds is another "larger than normal" area if you grow main crop (but I don't anymore as they are cheap-as-chips (Sorry!) to buy, and all the ones I've grown didn't store well enough to last the Winter - unlike the ones from the local Farm Shop stored in ideal temperature controlled cool-store ...

Experience will tell how big each of the 4 "zones" needs to be (and then how you deal with one needing to be bigger than the others, but still "rotate" annually. Good luck!

I suggest you keep a notebook with:

Date sown, germinated, pricked out (if grown under cover) / planted out, first & last harvest dates, and number of plants grown.  Also notes about whether you like/dislike the flavour and whether you want more/less next year.

Last Harvest date will help with "When can I plant a follow on crop"