Hi-
I would like some thoughts from the group. I have four separate beds in my garden that I rotate: nightshades, legumes, brassicas, and curcurbits. As I start to pull out plants (like the peas in the legume area, I am unclear what I should fill it in with. Is it okay to put another legume in there until I rotate all areas, or should I plant something completely different?
I do not want big bald spots -- the garden is too pretty for that.
Thanks - Patty
Empty spots in the garden after harvesting
Patty, it would help to know what zone you are in.
If you don't know yours, this link might help
http://www.garden.org/zipzone/
I can easily get two legume crops and if I start real early I can get 3 successive crops of bush green beans and Southern peas in the same space in one growing season. I think an annual rotation is plenty.
To get the most out of my space, I try to have good sized brassicas ready to transplant as soon as the legumes come out in the fall and those finish well before it's time for spring planting.
I'm not positive I understand the question. If you just want it to be pretty, then sure, it's ok to plant what's pretty to you.
Fwiw, here I'm mostly driven by growing seasons. I guess I normally would have two rounds of legumes, english peas or such in cooler weather, then some heat hardy blackeyed peas and butterbeans. The tomatoes usually burn out about the time the eggplant get going good. A cover crop such as clover might be a traditional part of crop rotation, but maybe that's not attractive in your setting, or maybe you want something more productive.
Maybe you would want to sneak in something different from your four groups. I just got through putting okra in all of my open spots (mostly spots, not whole beds). Or maybe corn, or sweet potato. Or some herbs. Or maybe something flowery that would attract pollinators or repel pests. (Choose the varieties based on what is happening this year in the rest of the garden.)
This message was edited Jun 15, 2010 12:18 PM
Twiggy!
Please talk to me about how you get good-sized brassicas in time for the fall planting! Should I start seeding immediately?
Sorry - I'm in 9b (just figured out how to put that on my profile!)...
It will be too hot now to put in a second planting of peas (though I will definitely put some in this fall - we are loving them!)... hmmmm. I'll have to think on this.
And yes Twiggy, please do tell about your brassica timing. The broccoli I planted in February is now bolting. bummer. I can never seem to get the timing right!
Happy,
Don't worry! You're right on time for the fall planting of the brassicas! It took me forever to get some timing right, and I'm only good on the brassicas 'cause that's where I learned by trial and error.
Be encouraged that they do BEST growing from the cool of the fall, into and through the winter (they love beach volleyball at 40-38 degrees), and will be ready for harvest early to mid-spring, or at least until temps start creeping up into the 70s. Then it'll get too hot and they'll bolt on you. So, that's your relative growing window for brassicas.
From my recent research, our best weapon is planting out GOOD SIZED SEEDLINGS, so they'll be ready to take off soon as the cool weather comes along.
With that said, I think I just answered my own question to Twiggy. Get those seeds planted NOW, and keep the sprouts comfortable and happy to encourage good growth until plant out the end of August! Also, we can stagger the plantings every couple weeks or 3, so we'll have a continuous harvest into the spring.
I need to go order some seeds, presto pronto!
Stay in touch with me on your progress, ok?
Hugs!
Linda
happygirl - I plant my first broccoli (direct seeded) around the first of September and set out transplants through early December. Any later than that here and we risk them bolting.
Kelly,
I just placed seed orders with three companies..cabbages on the way!
So Linda, who did you order from and what did you order? LOL
I can't believe it's already time to start planting eggplants! Should I go ahead and direct sow or plant seeds in starter pots and then transplant. If I do starter pots, do I need to do them indoors under lights or what??
I've done both Steph. The trick to direct seeding now is to keep them moist until they germinate - should only be a few days at these temps...
Eggplant article.
http://www.garden.org/foodguide/browse/veggie/eggplant_getting_started/1201
Shopping list!
Here's my Fall/Winter 2010 seed order
RONNIGERS:
Purple Viking, Yukon Golds, Pink Pearl, & Shepody seed potatoes
JOHNNY'S SELECTED SEEDS
Arcadia & De Cicco Broccoli
Cassius Cauliflower
Eva Purple Ball Tomato (on sale for $1/pack)
Da Cheong Chae Pak Choi (on sale for $1/pack)
BAKER CREEK HEIRLOOM SEEDS
Giant of Naples Cauliflower
Brunswick & Premium Lage Flat Dutch Cabbage
Black Beauty Eggplant
Red Creole Onion
Emerald Giant Bell Pepper
Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach
Golden Globe and Purple Top White Globe Turnip
My gut keeps asking me why I think I'm going to plant all this while I'm in transition, but my heart needs this activity to keep me "grounded," with something familiar to look forward to.
Hugs!
Did I miss it? What transition are you in gymgirl?
I will be able to harvest the kohlrabi, but the broccoli is bolting. I guess I will start seedlings in September (it starts to cool off in mid-October)... that would give them about 6 weeks start before the cool season even thinks about beginning.
But back to my original question... can I plant another crop of legumes (like lima beans or butter beans) where I just took out all my shell peas? I thought the whole trick with rotating was not NOT plant the same family in the same place...
And does anyone know of any heat loving brassicas?
I have some Zamboni broccoli raab that is really surprising me by how well it's doing in this heat. It's not the standard raab; it's a brighter green and very tender. If you pick it too soon before cooking it wilts. But it's delicious and seems perfectly happy in my garden, which is totally baking under 90+ degree temps right now.
If you haven't had any problems with your legumes because of legume-specific pests or diseases I'd go ahead and plant the beans. I have the same problem with rotations but I just try to rotate from year to year, and I don't worry about succession rotations. I'm assuming that you have other legumes in the same area, so you may just as well keep to your rotation schedule and put beans there.
Good call... I'll see if I can find some seed on my way home!