Hi everyone,
I was neatly measuring out my plot today, it having all got a bit haphazard over the last couple of years.
I know where my brassicas are going; nicely after the beans in the crop rotation. But given that the brassica plants won't be planted until May/June what do people fill the ground with up to then? A green manure? Salad stuff?
Or perhaps I've got it all wrong and I should be planting my sprouts out earlier?
Thank you.
I would think that you could be planting out late April early May depending where you are. A quick growing green manure would probably not have time to really get established. I grow Field beans over winter which you could try next year.
peas,lettuce,radish
Not sure about your location but Iput my brassicas out as young plants in march, got to look out for frosty nights but they are covered they flyscreen (scaffolding debriss netting) and a couple of fleeze blankets cutting at the end of july. Been doing it this way 20 odd years. I have a small grow tent and a light i bought of ebay 12 HOURS ON 12 HOURS OFF on a timer and water from the bottom to encourage the roots but all areas are not the same ;)
I have been experimenting with very early quick maturing calabreses under fleece cloches in March. If I lay them out correctly I can fit my Savoys and PSB in between and clear rhe calabrese before the Savoys etc really need the room. Thats a lot of brassicas off one bed.
I have been experiementing with putting in early potatoes and leaving a good space between them. Once they get earthed up there is then a space between them for PSB. The potato plants also protect the PSB from the wind so it is a win win situation.
For my late calabrese I planted this where I had had early peas. I did not even remove the peas simply planted out the plants between. It was pouring with rain so no time for finishing touches. The pea stalks dried off and the last of the peas to be harvested for this years seed. These plants seemed to keep off the pigeons from the calabrese. Very pleased with it, I am still cropping the calabrese now.
Digaroo, I like your peas / calabrese system. I might give that a go.