Ideally crops should be rotated within a plot so that the same plant family group is never in the same spot every year. This not only helps to keep soil nutrients at their optimum but also discourages soil based pests and diseases which are often attracted to crops within the same family group.
Firstly decide on the vegetables you enjoy, giving consideration to the amount of space available. Aim to produce vegetables all the year round without shortages or gluts. The area chosen should be divided into three equal sections.
YEAR 1 SECTION 1
Dig in well rotted manure or compost in the autumn or early winter. In the first year grow Beans, Leek, Lettuce, Onions, Peas, and Tomatoes.
YEAR 1 SECTION 2
Dig the area over and add lime if the soil is acid. This can be checked by using a test kit or meter. Ideally maintain a pH level of between 6 and 7. A general fertilizer should be applied 10 to 14 days prior to planting or sowing. This area can then be used for growing Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbages, Cauliflower and Kale.
YEAR 1 SECTION 3
Apply general fertilizer prior to sowing and planting. The crops to be grown in this section include Beetroot, Carrots, Parsnips, Potatoes, and Swedes.
YEAR 2
As above moving all crops on one section.
YEAR 3
Crops and treatments are rotated once more so that all sections have grown all plants over a three year period before moving back to year 1 positions.IF THIS
IS NOT PRACTICAL IN YOUR GARDEN…
We show here the classic and well proven three year crop rotation plan. However, we realise that on smaller plots and when growing vegetables more informally in a mixed garden, this may be impossible to achieve. Even so, you should try to switch crops around to a different place each year, and avoid growing vegetables in the same group in the same area – this should still give some protection against a build up of crop specific pests and diseases in the soil.
| F
i r s t
Y e a r
|
Manure or Compost | Fertilisers and Lime* | Fertilisers |
| Section 1 of plot
Peas Beans Onions Leeks Lettuces Tomatoes Spinach Beet Celery Succession Crops Carrots Beetroots Cabbages |
Section 2 of plot – Brassicas
Cabbages Sprouts Cauliflowers Kales Broccoli Seed bed for Green Crops Succession Crops Onions |
Section 3 of plot – Roots
Potatoes Carrots Beetroots Parsnips Swedes Succession Spinach Lettuces |
|
| S
e c o n d
Y e a r |
Fertilisers | Manure or Compost | Fertilisers and Lime* |
| Section 3 of plot – Roots
Potatoes Carrots Beetroots Parsnips Swedes Succession Spinach Lettuces |
Section 1 of plot
Peas Beans Onions Leeks Lettuces Tomatoes Spinach Beet Celery Succession Crops Carrots Beetroots Cabbages |
Section 2 of plot – Brassicas
Cabbages Sprouts Cauliflowers Kales Broccoli Seed bed for Green Crops Succession Crops Onions |
|
|
T h i r d
Y e a r
|
Fertilisers and Lime* | Fertilisers | Manure or Compost |
| Section 2 of plot – Brassicas
Cabbages Sprouts Cauliflowers Kales Broccoli Seed bed for Green Crops Succession Crops Onions |
Section 3 of plot – Roots
Potatoes Carrots Beetroots Parsnips Swedes Succession Spinach Lettuces |
Section 1 of plot
Peas Beans Onions Leeks Lettuces Tomatoes Spinach Beet Celery Succession Crops Carrots Beetroots Cabbages |
|
| * Only lime if soil is known to be acid – a simple test kit can check this. | |||
(Thanks to Samuel Dobie & Son for permission to reproduce this information.)