Iain Gray

What's the best way to get straw to break down faster on Hazelip-style straw-covered beds? I've had mine covered for 5 months now in barley straw (am in the UK, so over a warm summer) and there doesn't seem to be much movement. Presumably due to not enough nitrogen?

I'm reading the One Straw Revolution at the moment, and I noted that Fukuoka talks about putting chicken manure on his straw to help it rot. The chicken manure I can find is pelleted. Will that do?

I'm doing my first season of trying out Emilia Hazelip's synergistic gardening approach on my allotment in the UK. I have 4 raised beds, all covered with barley straw.

I've had a very good yield of early potatoes (bed 1), broccoli + cabbages (bed 2) and broad beans (bed 4) so far. Bed 3 is main crop potatoes, so still in the ground. I have planted sweetcorn in bed 1... but what I'm wondering is what to follow the broad beans with, and the cabbages/broccoli once they are up ?

I have looked at Emilia's video, but her plant choices were suitable for Spain where she lived, rather than alternately rainy and sunny Southern England

Should I try peas/french beans to follow the broad beans, and winter cabbages in the cabbage bed? If so, when do I rotate?

Thanks