Crop rotation in poly-tunnels and NO DIG

[Stevie342000Member]

Having recently acquired a 15′ x 7′ poly-tunnel what crops can you grow all year round?

Was thinking of growing the usual tomatoes, chiles, a caper bush, during the normal growing season along with cucumbers, marigolds. Then switching in September to winter salad crops and leaves such as spinach.

Along with bringing in the Laurus noblis, citrus bushes/trees and any other tender plants/shrubs for the winter. Putting them back out in late spring.

The other idea is to use it as a seed growing area/bed during the late winter ready for planting out in early/late spring to the growing plots.

How does crop rotation fit in with growing vegetables in the poly-tunnel? Is it more or less important.

It will be topped off at regular intervals through the growing season with top dressings of manure, compost throughout the growing year.

So effectively the soil is sterile through increased number of top dressings.

It is planned that the poly-tunnel will be in situ from mid-March which still gives me enough time to start of many crops for planting out this year.

[charlesModerator]

 Hi Stevie

 

Yes this idea of veg is good – Was thinking of growing the usual tomatoes, chiles, a caper bush, during the normal growing season along with cucumbers, marigolds. Then switching in September to winter salad crops and leaves such as spinach.

But remember that polythene does not keep frost out so citrus and other frost sensitive plants will be at risk.

Crop rotation is as desirable as outside i.e. as much as one can, but more difficult because of growing a narrower range of crops. I would not call soil ‘sterile’ when top dressed; rejuvenated is better!

[Stevie342000Member]

So the poly-tunnel will offer some protection from some of the harsher elements of the environment.

A good top dressing of manure across the growing area in the poly-tunnel would serve two purposes.

1. it will hopefully keep the interior warmer as it decomposes.
2. the ability to grow odd crops such as winter salad items with the hope that they are a little more protected than they would be in the external environment.

The citrus fruits are a newer variety which are supposed to be ok to -5C, with the added protection of being indoors.

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