Crop Rotation

What is crop rotation?

It is a method of dividing vegetable crops into 3 groups with each group being planted in a different location each year. The rotation takes place over a 3 year cycle.

Why Rotate Crops?

• One reason is that different plants need different quantities of soil food. If the same crop were grown in the same position each year then the soil would become depleted in certain nutrients. The soil would need special feeding to make up the deficit.
• A second and more important reason is that many crops are affected by soil based pests and diseases. The longer you grow the same crop in the same place each year, the more the pests and diseases that attack that crop will multiply.
• A third reason is that fertlizers and manures can be targeted at the crops that will most benefit them and be kept away from that those that wont.

How to Rotate Your Crops

Divide your plot into 3 different equal areas - Plot1, Plot2 and Plot3

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The first area (plot 1) is going to be used for growing what are known as 'Hungry' Crops.

This area will need to be manured to feed these crops.
 
Crops in this group (Group 1) are :

• Peas
• Beans
• Onions
• Leeks
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Spring Cabbage

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The second area (Plot 2) is going to be used for growing ‘Brassicas'.

This area will need to be given lime and fertilizer. If this is new ground that you have not grown on before then it will also benefit from adding manure as well.

Crops in this group (Group 2) are:

• Broccoli
• Brussel Sprouts
• Cabbage
• Calabrese
• Japanese Onions
• Turnips
• Swedes

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The third area (Plot 3) is going to be used for growing 'Root' Crops.

This area will only need to be given fertilizer.

Crops in this group (Group 3) are:

• Beetroot
• Carrot
• Parsnip
• Potatoes
• (also Lettuce, Radish as catch crops)
• Outdoor Tomatoes

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In the second year move Group 1 to Plot 3, Group 2 to Plot 1 and Group 3 to Plot 2.

In the third year move Group 1 to Plot 2, Group 2 to Plot 3 and Group 3 to Plot 1.

In year 4 everything moves back to the same plots as in year 1 and the cycle re-starts.