What is Crop Rotation?
Crop rotation means growing different types of plants in the same spot each season to improve soil health and reduce pests and disease.
Why It Matters:
- Prevents nutrient depletion
- Breaks pest and disease cycles
- Improves soil structure and fertility
- Reduces weed pressure
The Basics:
Group your plants into 4 main categories:
- Leafy (Lettuce, Spinach, Kale)
- Fruit (Tomatoes, Peppers, Cucumbers)
- Root (Carrots, Beets, Radishes)
- Legumes (Beans, Peas)
Each year, rotate them like this:
- Leafy → Fruit
- Fruit → Root
- Root → Legumes
- Legumes → Leafy
Keep It Simple:
- Avoid planting the same family (like tomatoes and peppers) in the same spot back-to-back.
- Beans and peas “feed” the soil with nitrogen—great to follow with leafy greens.
- Use a garden map or notes to track what was planted where each season.
To keep crop rotation easy year after year, stick to a simple system you can repeat without overthinking it. Here’s how:
1. Divide Your Garden Into Sections
Split your garden into 4 equal spaces (or groups of containers, rows, or beds). Label them A, B, C, and D. You’ll rotate crops through these spaces.
2. Assign Crop Groups
Use this easy 4-group system:
- A: Legumes (peas, beans) – adds nitrogen
- B: Leafy greens (lettuce, kale, spinach) – loves nitrogen
- C: Fruit crops (tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash) – heavy feeders
- D: Root crops (carrots, beets, radishes, onions) – light feeders
3. Rotate Clockwise Each Year
Next year, move each group to the next section clockwise:
- Year 1: A – Legumes, B – Leafy, C – Fruit, D – Roots
- Year 2: A – Leafy, B – Fruit, C – Roots, D – Legumes
- Year 3: A – Fruit, B – Roots, C – Legumes, D – Leafy
- Year 4: A – Roots, B – Legumes, C – Leafy, D – Fruit
Then just repeat the cycle.
4. Keep a Simple Chart
Draw a quick garden map each year and label what went where. This makes it easy to reference next season.
5. Bonus Tips to Make It Easier:
- Group similar plants together by family (like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant = nightshades).
- Grow herbs and perennials in a separate space—they don’t need rotation.
- Add compost every season to keep your soil healthy.