Do you know what fallowing is and why it is still an important practice in agriculture? This method, which consists of leaving the arable land to rest, improves its natural fertility, controls pests and optimises the use of space over time.

In addition, if you use infrastructures such as a multitunnel greenhouse, a gothic greenhouse or a multi-wide span greenhouse, fallowing can be complemented with systems that protect and enhance soil recovery. We explain more about this below.

1. What is fallowing?
2. What are the benefits of fallowing crops?
3. Types of fallow land
4. What is the purpose of fallowing land?

What is fallowing?

Fallowing is an agricultural technique that leaves land or soils without sowing for certain periods of time. These are also called fallow periods and can be organised every two or three years.

This makes the land more productive and allows it to regenerate with the conditions needed for each seed and plant. In addition, one part of the land is used while the other part is ‘resting’.

What are the benefits of fallowing crops?

We already know what fallowing is, but what are the benefits of this technique? Some of them are:

• Recovering and storing organic matter in the soil
• To make the soil recover nutrients naturally
• Restore soil fertility
• Do not overexploit the land
• Have the land ready for the next crops
• Ensure that the sowings are of good quality
• Keep the soil with stored moisture
• Prevent the spread of pests and combat them.

Types of fallow land

Within the idea of what it is, we must understand the types that exist. There are several ways to apply this technique and here we explain it to you.

Short

Short fallows are those where the land is left fallow for one or two years before being cultivated again. There is no complete regeneration of the soil.

Year and time

With this type of year and time fallowing, the arable land is left fallow only once a year.

Long

As the name suggests, long fallows are longer periods and regeneration is complete. Here the land is left fallow for 3 to 4 years.

Herbaceous

Also known as stubble fallow, this type of fallow is when the land is fully manured at the time of resting.

Carving

Here the terrain is maintained at the time of rest, but there are two sub-types within the category:

• Chemical tillage fallow: pesticides are used to combat weeds.
• Mechanical tillage fallow: the soil is worked with a tool that enhances weed decomposition processes.

Seeded

Here it is sown in order to nourish the sky. For example, with leguminous species.

White

Por último, tenemos el barbecho blanco. Este es el más utilizado y consiste en no plantar nada. 

What is the point of leaving land fallow?

In addition to the concept, it should be made clear what the purpose of such a field is. This technique usually prevents the cultivation soil from being exhausted and, consequently, from having enough time to regenerate itself with the nutrients needed for the next sowing.

In addition, this prevents the soil from being over-exploited and the yields from being of poor quality. The more rest and regenerative work the soil has, the better the fruits will be, avoiding pathogens and preserving optimal conditions.

If you are interested in sowing in controlled spaces and with the best conditions, do not hesitate to choose quality structures, such as Fertri’s greenhouses.

There are several types, ideal for large crops, such as the Multitunnel Greenhouse, the Gothic Greenhouse and the Multi-wide Span Greenhouse. Choose the one that best suits your needs.