Vegetable Crop Rotation

Vegetable crop rotation is as simple as planting your vegetables in a different spot each year. They say a change is as good as a rest and this definitely applies to your vegetable garden.

Vegetables can use different amounts nutrients to grow to maturity so it is important not to deplete the nutrients in your soil. Some vegetable plants such as peas and beans can add nitrogen back into your garden soil.

Another benefit of moving your vegetable plants each year is to prevent or at least cut down on pests, insects and disease. Different vegetables will attract certain pests, insects and disease so by moving them each year you can keep your soil and plants healthier and your garden free of pests.

There are some complicated vegetable rotations and some easier to follow processes. I find for a small backyard garden it is easiest to divide your garden into 4 areas then plant certain groups of vegetables into each of those areas. You then move that group of vegetables to a new area the next year. This way each vegetable group is not grown in the same area until year 5.

This is how I divide by backyard garden.

1. Brassicas - broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, kale
2. Heat loving veggies - tomato, cucumber, peppers, eggplants, basil
3. Root crops - carrots, potatoes, beets
4. Other crops - lettuce, peas, beans, chard, oriental greens

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