Crop rotation has been used forever by large farms but for small gardens you may think it seems like too big a deal. However it’s still a useful practice to get into if you have a small garden and not that complicated, especially if you like making lists.
Basics of crop rotation: Crop rotation is pretty much a self explanatory term. You rotate crops on an annual basis. Most commercial growers use a four year rotation which you can also use at home. However some books and experts recommend a three year rotation plan for smaller gardens. When I started my first solo garden in my early 20s, I didn’t know about crop rotation, thus didn’t do it at first and when I finally read about it, I only heard about the four-year plan so I don’t know for sure if a three year plan would work better for you. One suggestion is to ask another local gardener with a similar plot what they do.
Why bother?: Crop rotation can help eliminate organism build-up. For example, if you plant broccoli year after year in the same spot, disease organisms related to broccoli may build up and thus affect your soil and plants. Rotation also helps prevent nutrient depletion in your soil, can help control buggies that attack specific veggies and aids in weed control.
General crop rotation plans: Make a list of all the veggies you normally plant. Divide them by type (i.e. botanical family [pdf]). Then mark off garden plots for each. Try to mark off same sized plots to make it easier on you when you rotate. If you need help check out the Yankee Gardener’s Garden Data” – Crop Rotation Chart – you don’t have to do it exactly like this chart, but it’ll give you a good idea about how to plan for a proper crop rotation. Another great plant rotation chart can be found at Danny Lipford’s site.
Some general tips for better crop rotation:
- The above mentioned site, Danny Lipford notes that you should, “Try to dedicate at least one section each year to a “green manure” cover crop—such as alfalfa or clover—that you can till into the soil, or mix in plenty of organic matter and allow the soil to rest” which is a good plan that makes sense, if you have the space. However, most home gardeners don’t have the luxury of so much extra space, so I wouldn’t feel too guilty if you can’t plan for a cover crop in your rotation.
- Besides family groups you can also group according to which diseases specific plants are susceptible to.
- Keep good records of your annual crop rotations. You may think you can remember it in your head, but it’s easy to forget what you did last year.
- If you don’t grow many veggies or grow enough of a specific crop you may have empty space in your plots. You can fill these in by combining crop groups with compatible needs or fill in with beneficial companion flowers. Another idea is to fill in the areas with disease resistant trouble free veggies like lettuce, cucumbers, and squash but it can make for a more confusing plan than simply rotating everything.
- Potatoes and tomatoes both belong to the same family, but planting them one after the other may create problems.
[image via stock.xchng]
Post from: Blisstree