I'm completely confused, just got an allotment as of yesterday and have been planning layout regarding crop rotation etc. I had a 5 year rotation worked out for brassicas, pots, roots, legumes and alliums. My problem arises when I try to inter plant carrots and onions to avoid the root flies. Do I just add a few onions with roots and vice versa. Sorry for the daft question but I'm flummoxed.
Thank you
Alternate them. The easiest is probably to use alternate rows. But then you have to revamp your rotation to combine the two. Remember that rules are there for your benefit rather than vice versa!
Companion planting is a structured approach to planting which may provide some benefits.
Crop rotation is a structured approach to planting which may provide some benefits.
If you practice strict crop rotation, you will have to compromise on companion planting.
If you practice strict companion planting you will have to compromise on crop rotation.
In my opinion crop rotation has less benefit than most assume when it is practiced in a small area such as an allotment. There is some benefit from a demand-on-soil viewpoint, but disease vectors (insects, air-borne spores, water splashes, physical contact from the gardener, etc.) can easily transfer disease from bed to bed in a way that would not happen in a field-scale situation.
Of course, it's still worth avoiding planting the same crop in the same place as the previous year
The trial which demonstrated a positive companion effect protecting carrots from carrot root fly by co-planting with onions only showed a benefit when there were (I think it was) 5 rows of onions for each row of carrots.
Many accepted companion effects have been shown to be humbug when actually tried in a scientific trial, so it's worth doing some research.
Having said all that, I practice basic rotation, and I plant onions with carrots (not in a ratio of 1:5), and I frequently adjust the basic formula when it suits me/when I think it will look nicer/when I run out of space. 8)
The shorter version: alliums and roots in the same bed. ;) ;D ;D ;D
QuoteMany accepted companion effects have been shown to be humbug when actually tried in a scientific trial, so it's worth doing some research.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Companion_planting
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/118867057/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0
http://www.organicgardening.com/feature/0,7518,s1-5-19-108,00.html
http://www.seedsofchange.com/enewsletter/issue_55/companion_planting.aspx
;)
one guy on our allotments was troubled with carrot root flies simply started to grow his carrots in raised beds,- approx` 15" higher than everything else.
Up to now,- problem solved, so try raising you carrot crops,the fly cant find your crop 15" (inches) plus higher than ground level,(or so i`m told).
regards.
Another solution is planting 'Chives' between the rows of carrots, :)
I did try interplanting the two but I still got carrot fly, others have said it worked for them, ??? mine are going in a plastic bath this year. ;D ;D ;D