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Mulching?
Natbat
Posts: 62
in Fruit & veg
Hi all. I want to plant out some onion sets I have started in modules and also direct sow some peas and broadbeans in my allotment raised beds. I've already have manure mulched over the top and covered in cardboard and black sheeting over winter. I would like to add a layer of bark chips to hold in te moisture more. Is this a good idea for raised veg beds? And if so do I wait until plants are more established or mulch with bark and then sow underneath? Extra question! I have three raised beds for rotation, which one do my onions go in? Or am I better off popping them into containers and using the beds for more hungry and deep rooted crops? Thanks!
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Posts
Er no to the mulching full stop. You dont want to exclude light on veg beds. As for rotation you really need at least two years between planting in the same spot. Traditionally it's done on a 3 or 4 year rotation with manuring on alternate beds as root veg won't like the freshly manured ground.
Natbat go to the RHS website and search crop rotation. It's comprehensive and pretty fool proof. Sometimes it's best to get one or two good books rather than try to take in a bucketful of information when getting started. Take one subject at a time learn that well and then move to the next one. Gardening is supposed to be a relaxing hobby/ occupation not a stress test. And yes there is too much information out there with as many different interpretations as there are opinions. Keep it simple.
I don't ever mulch veg beds with bark. You can dig in manure for veg like runner beans, tomatoes and courgettes, but not root veg like carrots and parsnips. Don't ever sow under bark. Bark is much better for mulching in shrub beds or mixed shrub and flower borders to keep the weeds down and the moisture in. So you can grow most veg in your prepared beds but if you want carrots and parsnips this year either dig another bed or grow them in containers. Carrots can do very well in containers as they like light soil with no stones.
I suspect bark chippings will absorb nitrogen from the soil as they slowly rot down. Thats fine on shrub, rose and ornamental beds but bad on a veg area with plants that need plenty of fertiliser.