I feel we get to hung up with rotation..if we are sensible and just move crops around the problem of any build ups should not happen..many of the rotations are so natural we just do them anyway. Some allotments are not big enough for rotation, we have just started small starter plots, again no space...

Always use complanion planting..this year I have planted some lavenders along my allotment path, plus grew some sweat peas amongst my runner beans , also grew several plants of comfrey around the plot .My beans were better this year.The bees were always busy amongst the beans and around the plot.Als...

Highly unlikey to grow from cuttings..go for the traditional method of seed, but allow time for germination as they can some time , depends on the species really though.

Always found Laveneder roots best from semi ripe cuttings..mid/late summer ..50/50 peat and sharp sand mixture ..also works well if placed direct into a shaded cold frame..

Lots of heavy showers all day today..just in time for final new spud lifting session in the morning...and will help the onions as well...

Well thankyou everyone for ther birthday wishes..just got back from the allottment lifting new spuds ..now chillaxin in the garden soaking up the evening sun with BBQ and cold beers with family and freinds..good times indeed.

I have found that Pak Choy is sown indoors and thinned into modules so a fairly established size pant is planted out produces best results .This way the risks of the old cabbage whites etc are far less, usefull space filler as well and is a valuable plant for any allotment.

Good result..but remember toxins and residues will remain in the ground if you spray..much research has proved this and , will harm soil structure and life underground , even if there are no Mr and Mrs Wormies..the worms are there for a reason. For reasearch check out the Soil Association or the HDR .

NO WAY TO SPRAY..long term and harmfull residues left behind as research clearly shows with most soils..natures way is the best way. Mulching over winter has a much more positive longer term impact on soil structure an soil life.Mr and Mrs Wormy are in the ground for a reason , they charge us no ren...

Avoid spraying at all costs ..nasty stufff.I was like you last September..inherited a plot that had been ignored for 2/3 years. I spent time skimming/hoeing off , raking the weeds and burning rubbish ..kept this going and double dug small areas as it cleaned up. The plot wa then divided in half with...

When I plant my established beans along side the canes I sow another bean alongside the plant as well..this way you get successional plants throughout the summer/autumn season..works well and saves space.

Thanks everyone for the replies and advice...French beans have now been sown indoors in plastic pots, one seed per pot.I dug around and found no sign of any beans in the trench ..def not mice or birds ..
Thanks again .
Tangoman .

I have made 2 sowings or dwarf french beans , with 2 weeks in between for succesional cropping. Neither has appeared but the weather has been really warm, and the rows were watered when required, all were sown in a well prepared trench. Other beans sown at the same time are doing really well and cli...

Choysia Ternatta..the mexican orange tree...usually very poor root system so be carefull if you move it , water the shrub and water the new planting area well before replanting ..or semi ripe/soft wood cuttings to propagate .

Meg Ryan ..mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm