Raised Bed Reflections: Our Six-Year Dance with the Land

Guest Blog by Sherel Moonfull 💚
We’re thrilled to welcome Sherel Moonfull—grower, forager, and founder of Moonfull—as our guest blogger. Writing from her allotment at The Forest Ridge Project, Sherel shares thoughtful reflections on no-dig growing, crop rotation, and the deep lessons the land offers through the seasons.

Growing Gently with No-Dig

Here in the allotment at The Forest Ridge Project, we’re slowly embracing the no-dig approach, a gentle, regenerative method of growing that protects the delicate structure of the soil while supporting thriving ecosystems just below the surface.

“It’s a system that honours the natural rhythms of the land, where every season brings a new lesson. This Spring, my first as a Mother, has felt particularly meaningful. There’s something deeply affirming about seeing new life all around you while nurturing a small and new life of your own. The patience, the presence, the noticing, it all feels connected.”

Why a Six-Year Crop Rotation?

We’ve now committed to a six-year crop rotation cycle, moving away from the more commonly used four-year plan. The longer cycle gives each crop group more space and time to thrive while giving the soil a better chance to rest and rebuild.

Our Six-Year Crop Rotation Looks Like This:

🌱 Year 1 – Legumes: Beans and peas fix nitrogen into the soil, improving fertility for the crops that follow.

🌱 Year 2 – Brassicas: Cabbage, kale, broccoli and other brassicas benefit from that nitrogen-rich environment.

🌱 Year 3 – Potatoes: Heavy feeders like potatoes follow, taking full advantage of the improved soil conditions.

🌱 Year 4 – Roots: Carrots, beetroot, parsnips, and other root veg prefer well-structured, lighter soil.

🌱 Year 5 – Cucurbits: Pumpkins, courgettes and squashes are nutrient-hungry and do well following roots.

🌱 Year 6 – Alliums: Onions, garlic and leeks, with lower nutrient demands, complete the cycle and help suppress disease before it begins again.

A six-year cycle means fewer pest build-ups, improved nutrient management, and healthier crops overall. It’s about working smarter, not harder. And because each plant family brings different gifts and needs, the land stays more balanced and resilient.

If you’ve never tried crop rotation, now is the perfect time to start. Even if you have just a few growing spaces or raised beds, you can plan a simple rotation on a small scale. It keeps your soil healthier, reduces the need for inputs, and, ultimately, makes growing easier over time.

Record Keeping and Labelling

This year, we’ve taken another step forward by starting garden record keeping. Each raised bed is now clearly labelled, and we’re logging what’s been planted, how it’s performing, and when it’s due to rotate.

“It’s about deepening our relationship and respect for the land. Observing patterns, spotting problems early, and celebrating progress. For me, it becomes much easier when it’s written down. And as the seasons turn, we’ll be able to look back, reflect, and adapt more confidently.”

Raised Beds: Why They Work So Well

Thanks to British Recycled Plastic, we now have two recycled plastic raised beds in the allotment. These have completely transformed our growing setup.

Compared to traditional wooden beds, which are prone to rot and often attract slugs, these plastic raised bed kits are incredibly sturdy. The raised beds retain heat, which gives early crops a strong start, and their structure gives you something to lean against while you work, especially helpful during longer planting sessions, for those with mobility needs or… like me, with a baby on their back, front or hip!

The Raised beds also create clearer boundaries. They help keep pathways tidy, make watering more efficient, and give you greater control over soil quality.

I’ve tried it all over the years: ground-level planting, wooden frames, and now these. Without a doubt, plastic raised beds win for longevity, structure, and productivity. Wild food is defined as any edible plant that grows spontaneously in self-sustaining populations outside cultivated areas, without human intervention and safe for human consumption. Wild food can be sustainably harvested from hedgerows, woodlands and the countryside but also in surprisingly urban places too, such as towpaths and local parks.

The majority of food found in the wild is nutritionally superior and has a lower carbon footprint than its supermarket counterpart. This free and organic wild food is as natural as it gets, packed with raw flavour and without irritating packaging. Some of the food I forage are seen by others as a troublesome weed like dandelion and nettle, others are invasive. Invasive plants are harmful to certain environments because they overcrowd our native species and reduce biodiversity. Removing and eating these species brings the ecological balance back and is a really sustainable way to increase nutrients in your diet.

The Rhythm of the Seasons: Spring into Summer

This Spring has been full of surprises, hot days which will be followed by sudden rainfall, a reminder that Mother Nature rarely follows a predictable script.

To stay ahead of the shifts, we’re:

🪏 Mulching beds heavily to retain moisture in the heat and suppress weeds during rainier spells

🪏 Watering in the early morning, allowing plants to hydrate before the midday sun hits

🪏 Harvesting more often, as warmth speeds up growth and bolting in leafy greens

🪏 Ventilating the greenhouse on hot days to reduce humidity and prevent disease

“Flexibility is key in a growing season like this. I’m trusting my senses and observing the plants closely. They’ll tell us what they need.”

Natural Plant Protection

To stay chemical-free while managing pests, we’ve created a few of our own protective sprays:

🐝 Garlic Spray – Disliked by aphids and many soft-bodied insects

🐝 Neem Oil Solution – Gentle on foliage, powerful against mites and some fungal issues

🐝 Hot Pepper Spray – Effective deterrent for chewing insects

These homemade remedies allow us to protect our plants without harming beneficial insects or disrupting the natural balance of our plot.

When the Weeds Win… Eat Them!

Despite our best efforts, “weeds” still sneak through. But not every unwanted guest is a problem.

As a forager, I’ve learned to recognise many of these plants as allies, not adversaries. So before you pull them out, ask: Is it edible? Is it medicinal?

Here are a few of the “weeds” I harvest regularly:

🌿 Nettle – High in iron and great for teas or soups

🌿 Plantain (ribwort and broadleaf) – Useful for bites, stings, and can be eaten raw or cooked

🌿 Clover – Edible flowers, lovely in salads or teas

🌿 Chickweed – Mild and crunchy, perfect in sandwiches

🌿 Cleavers – Great Spring tonic, best in cold infusions

🌿 Sorrel – Tangy and refreshing, adds brightness to dishes

🌿 Dandelion – Leaves, flowers, and roots all edible and full of nutrients

🌿 Japanese Knotweed – Young shoots taste like rhubarb and can be stewed or baked

“Learning to forage not only reduces food waste, it strengthens your awareness of the land and its abundance. Many so-called weeds arrive to heal the soil, and in doing so, they can help heal us too. *Always positively identify and research any foraged food before eating. When in doubt, leave it out!”

Celebrating Mother Earth and Community

In March, I celebrated my first Mother’s Day as a Mother by hosting a Seed Swap at The Old School Thornhill. Over 70 gardeners, growers of all ages, gathered to share seeds, tools, stories, books, and pots.

It was more than an exchange, it was a community ritual which I’m committed to making an annual event. A moment of recognition for Mother Earth, for our collective stewardship, and for the magic that happens when people gather with intention.

It helped me feel more rooted in this community and more hopeful for what’s to come.

What’s Next at The Forest Ridge?

We’re keeping the momentum going and planning our next improvements:

🫜 Rebuilding the greenhouse to improve airflow and capacity

🫜 Planting apple trees, thinking long-term and local

🫜 Installing compost bins, turning organic waste into rich, home-grown fertility

🫜 Adding picnic tables, creating places for connection, rest, and shared meals

🫜 And of course, adding more British Recycled Plastic raised beds, because two isn’t enough

🫜 We’re also continuing to monitor soil pH and nutrient levels, adjusting our inputs to keep everything in balance.

🫜 And of course, the great tradition continues, collecting free, well-rotted horse manure to feed the beds for seasons to come.

Growing as a Metaphor for Life

There’s something deeply poetic about the flow of crop rotation. Every plant has its place. Every stage matters. Every resting period is part of the journey.

“As a grower, a forager, and a new Mother, I see the parallels more clearly than ever. This six-year dance with the land is teaching me patience, resilience, and the quiet strength that comes from letting things unfold in their own time.”

This Spring has already outshone the whole of last Summer, and it’s only just begun.

With full, muddy hands and a loving heart,

Sherel Moonfull

Grower | Forager | Mama

Also of Moonfull – Offering nature-based experiences across the UK.

(I’ll see you in the woods when I return from maternity leave! x)

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