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Fallow year in Vegetable garden

Surrey HartshornSurrey Hartshorn Posts: 1
in The potting shed
I am giving my usual Veg patch a year off... any suggestions what to do with it, i.e. green manure / cover in manure (I have access to loads)?

Posts

  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    Apart from asking why are you having a year off?
  • StephenSouthwestStephenSouthwest Posts: 635
    I'd be tempted to cover it in manure and grow a green manure cover crop.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd just use the manure if you have a lot of it. No need for anything else really, unless you're worried about weeds, in which case, the green manure is useful.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    The thing about green manure is that it has to be cut down and incorporated into the soil before it produces seeds.  If you’re going to be away or incapacitated and unable to do this, and it seeds into the veg patch, you’ll have it regrowing next year … and the next … 

    I’d just use a good thick layer of manure, as @Fairygirl suggests. 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Absolutely - the green manure crop is only of use if used correctly. Otherwise, you may need to cover it in some other way.
    It depends on the reasons for not managing it in your normal way @Surrey Hartshorn :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    The other option is to let a neighbour/friend/keen local veg grower use it for the oncoming year.
    That way the ground will be used and with any luck, you could benefit from fresh veg without the work :)
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    If in doubt plant borage, which is a great crop for the bees. It'll drop some seed but they're easy enough to weed out when you go back to growing veg.

    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    I feel philippasmith2 has probably the best idea, especially as there's a load of manure in the equation but, if that doesn't suit, apply the manure and any other biodegradable material before covering the plot in builders' membrane (sheet plastic), so that the next attempt at re-using it for growing is weed free and ready for use.
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