To Fallow the land

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LittleRedHen
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Joined: Wed 19-Jan-2022, 10:47

Has anyone let one of their garden plots go fallow before?
I’m thinking … let a bed go fallow/ rest for more than one season, putting on a cover crop for a year or more?
I guess a modern term would be “crop rotation “?

Any thoughts?
Danoost
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I recommend against keeping land fallow.

Living plants are essential to the health and well-being of the soil. Living plants protect against erosion, compaction, cold, heat and moisture loss.

Nature never leaves the ground uncovered and nature is our best teacher.

A cover crop like you suggest is best. Deep rooting nitrogen fixing covers can significantly improve soil structure and soil health.

Unlike our shallow rooting, simplistic annual vegetable crops, a biodiverse cover crop can heal soil much quicker and is a good option when you have a spare plot and wish to heal impoverished soils.

Choose a grain, a legume or 2 and maybe even a flowering cover mix. Some garden centers sell these mixed cover crops.
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