If you’re a gardener, you know that the same kind of crop cannot be grown successfully year after year on the same piece of land. To get the best results, you need to grow different varieties in rotation. This is not only for avoiding attacks by insects, but to ensure that the second crop shall be properly nourished.

Let’s take a closer look at the importance of crop rotation.

Crop Rotation and Soil Fertility

One of the main reasons for rotating crops is to maintain soil fertility. Different crops use different nutrients, so by rotating them, you can ensure that all the nutrients are used up evenly. For example, corn takes nitrogen out of the soil, while beans put it back in. Therefore, if you grow corn one year and beans the next, your soil will stay fertile.

Crop Rotation and Pest Control

Another reason for rotating crops is pest control. Insects are often specific to one type of plant, so if you grow a different crop in their place, they will not be able to find it. This will help to keep your garden pest-free.

Crop Rotation and Disease Control

Diseases can also build up in the soil when the same crop is grown in the same place year after year. By rotate your crops, you can avoid this build-up and keep your plants healthy.

The three general crop rotation rules:

• Plants of the same natural order should not succeed each other, such as a crop of Cauliflower after Cabbage, or Parsnip after Carrot.
• Crops which occupy the same piece of ground for several years, such as Asparagus, should be succeeded by others of short duration, such as Cabbage or Lettuce.
• Plants grown for their roots or bulbs, such as Beet and Onion, should not be succeeded by others grown for the same purpose; neither should plants grown for their seeds follow each other.

Although the above rules apply generally to all systems of rotation, it is not possible to recommend any particular method of cropping as the best, for the nature of the soil and the quantity and kind of manure available must also be taken into account.

Vegetable Crop Rotation Examples

BEANS may follow Borecole, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Parsnip, and Potatoes. Beans may be succeeded by any of the Cabbage tribe of plants, Celery, Leek, Lettuce and Turnip.

BEET may follow the Cabbage tribe, and any other crop, except Carrot, Parsnip, Salsify, Spinach, and Turnip. Beet may be succeeded by Beans, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce, or Peas, but not by Carrot, Parsnip, Spinach, and Turnip.

BORECOLE AND BRUSSELS SPROUTS may follow Beans, Lettuce, Peas, and Potatoes. Borecole and Brussels Sprouts may be succeeded by Broad and Dwarf Beans, Beet, Carrot, Onion, Parsnip, Peas, Potatoes or any other crop, but the Cabbage tribe and allied plants.

CABBAGE may follow Broad and Dwarf Beans, Lettuce, Onion, Peas and Potatoes, or any crop which is not allied to it. Cabbage may be succeeded by Broad and Dwarf Beans, Beet, Carrot, Celery, Lettuce, Parsnip, Peas, Potatoes, Salsify, Scorzonera, or any other crop but allied ones.

CARROT may follow any but Root Crops, Celery and Parsley and may be succeeded by any except Root Crops and allied ones.

CAULIFLOWER AND BROCOLI may follow Broad and Dwarf Beans, Beet, Carrot, Celery, Endive, Lettuce, Onions, Peas, Potatoes and Spinach. Cauliflower may be succeeded by any of the preceding crops.

CELERY when the ground is heavily manured for Celery, it may succeed any crop. Celery may be succeeded by Broad and Dwarf Beans, any of the Cabbage tribe of plants, Peas, Potatoes and Turnips.

LEEK may follow any crop except Shallot, Garlic, Onion, and that class of plants.

LETTUCE may follow Beans, the Cabbage tribe of plants, Peas, Potatoes, and any other crop, with the exception of Artichoke, Endive, Salsify or Scorzonera.

ONION AND SHALLOTS may follow Broad and Dwarf Beans, and any of the Cabbage tribe of plants, Celery, Peas, and Potatoes. Onion may be succeeded by any of the Cabbage tribe of plants.

PARSNIP may follow any crop but Carrot, Celery, Parsley, Beet, Potatoes, Salsify and Scorzonera. With these exceptions Parsnip may be succeeded by any crop.      ·

PEAS may follow any of the Cabbage tribe of plants, Carrot, Parsnip, Potatoes, Spinach, and Turnip. Exceptions need only be made of Beans and other legumes. Peas may be succeeded by any of the Cabbage tribe of plants, Celery, Spinach and Turnip.

POTATOES may follow any crop except Beet, Carrot, Parsnip, Salsify and Scorzonera. Potatoes may be succeeded by almost any crop.

SEAKALE may follow Potatoes or almost any crop except the Cabbage tribe of plants. 8eakale may be succeeded by any plant except Silver Beet and the Cabbage tribe.

SPINACH may follow Broad and Dwarf Beans, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce, Peas and any other crop excepting Beet.

TURNIP AND SWEDE may follow Beans, Lettuce, Peas, Potatoes, Spinach, or any other crop except the Cabbage tribe of plants. Turnip may be succeeded by any crop but those of the Cabbage family.

If it is not possible to rotate your vegetables because of growing room, the ground must be heavily manured and deeply dug before the sowing or planting takes place; otherwise the resulting crop will be a poor one.

Laying Out the Garden – Planning crop rotation

The planning of the vegetable garden for crop rotation requires really careful consideration, if you are to make the best use of the space at your disposal. It is a really great idea to make a plan during the winter of the way in which you intend to sow your crops.

The crop planting scheme

Early Potatoes intercropped with Summer Spinach. Late Potatoes intercropped with Brussels Sprouts. 

Dwarf Peas intercropped with Radishes. 

Cabbages intercropped with Broad Beans. Spring Onions followed by Winter Turnips. Early Red Beet followed by Autumn Onions set in late August. 

Parsnips intercropped with Radishes or Lettuces. Early Lettuces followed by Greens or Tomatoes. 

Shallots followed by Winter Turnips. 

Carrots followed by Autumn-sown Broad Beans. 

Scarlet Runners followed by Lettuces for spring use. 

Tomatoes followed by Turnips for turnip tops or green manuring. 

It’s also worth thinking about the companion plants you’ll be sowing with your veg.

As you can see, there are many good reasons to rotate your crops. So next season when you’re planning your garden, make sure to give some thought to crop rotation! Your plants will thank you for it!