Crop rotation is a technique of alteranating what is planted where in the garden in order to minimize pest and
disease problems and maximize soil fertility. Different plants take up different nutrients and have different disease or pest
issues. By varying the plants in a location, no single nutrient is depleted and diseases and pests don't have time to built
up.
The easiest crop rotation plan is to not plant the same plant in the
same spot every year. Keep track of what you plant and refer to your notes when planning the following year's garden.
Another fairly easy rotation is grouping plants by types - leafy
crops, root crops fruiting crops and legumes. Each year you plant another type of plant in the plot. Legumes
(beans, clovers, peas) leave behind nitrogen enriched soil which is needed by leafy crops. Root crops prefer soild that
is not enriched with nitrogen and the fruiting crops nee a balanced rich soil.
A more detailed system involves rotating plants based on the
botanical family to which they belong. Plants in a family share many of the same nutrient needs and pest issues.
By varying plant families in a plot, pests and diseases are minimized and soil nutrients are maximized.
Oats - to be followed by carrots and beans.
