Vegetable Crop Rotation Plans
Crop rotation is the process of growing vegetables in their respective families and moving the families around a plot in a specific sequence so they are not grown on the same piece of land for at least 3 years.
Vegetable Family Table
Vegetable families are classified into mainly 3 types:
Brassicas | Legumes | Roots | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Examples | Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower | Pea, Bean – Broad, Borlotti, Runner, French | Beetroot, Carrots, Onions, Garlic | Potatoes & Tomatoes |
Notes | Although these are not technically from the same family they are all treated roughly the same | Although technically roots, these are generally grown in their own plot as they are grown in large quantities | ||
Soil requirements | Nitrogen rich which may need liming | Well drained but moisture retentive not Nitrogen rich. | Stone-free, fine tilth but not freshly manured as causes forking | high organic matter without lime |
Soil benefits | None | Leaves behind Nitrogen for following crop | Great for breaking up soil structure | Good at weed surpression & breaking up soil structure |
Crop rotation has been practiced for centuries and has a number of excellent benefits, it helps to avoid the build up of soil-borne pests and diseases that might affect one particular crop; different families leave behind nutrients and can also draw up minerals that help to feed the following crop; and minimises the use of fertilisers which is good for organic cropping. It is possible to use a 3 year crop rotation programme but if you require a lot of potatoes it is best to split your plot into 4 sections. Potatoes should be grouped with roots in a 3 year plan.
4 Year Crop Rotation Plan
Each bed/area will remain the same number.
Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bed 1 | Potatoes (followed by Leeks or Lettuce in summer) | Legumes | Brassicas | Roots |
Bed 2 | Roots (Carrots, Beetroot, Onions plus Sweetcorn) | Potatoes | Legumes | Brassicas |
Bed 3 | Brassicas (Cabbage, Broccoli, Sprouts) | Roots | Potatoes | Legumes |
Bed 4 | Legumes (Peas, Beans – Broad, Borlotti, French & Runner) | Brassicas | Roots | Potatoes |
N.B. If it is very difficult to rotate your crops just try not to grow onions or brassicas in the same spot 2 years running as their soil-borne pests and diseases develop quickly. There are of course some veg that require permanent beds and do not require moving e.g. Asparagus and rhubarb (many class this as a fruit).
Helpful hints
Some vegetables can fit into any crop rotation position, e.g.- Courgettes & Squash – particularly good with potatoes as they like lots of manure and early/second early potatoes are harvested before these get too large.
- Lettuce is a great catch crop sown in between potato ridges but will fit anywhere.
- Sweetcorn fits well into roots but will do well elsewhere too.
- Leeks that have been planted in a seed bed can be transplanted into the potatoe bed once the potatoes have been dug up in the summer.