Crop Rotation

Successive Planting and Crop Rotation

Because of the relatively long growing season in the southern region, it is possible to produce more than one crop a year on the same land. Planting a second or third crop on the same land within the same growing season is called successive cropping. Crop rotation, on the other hand, refers to planting different vegetables on the same land from year to year. Related vegetables should not be planted on the same land in succession or rotation. For example, squash should not be followed with a related vegetable such as watermelon, cantaloupe, or cucumber. This practice helps minimize insect and disease problems and helps maintain soil fertility.

Crop rotation has been used by farmers for many years. Crop rotation now is commonly used by gardeners to control diseases and insects in the vegetable garden. It is also used to build up the organic matter and soil nutrients that certain plants use during their life cycle. Certain families of plants are subject to the same diseases and should not be planted in the same area more than once every 3 years to prevent the disease organisms from building up in the soil.

In the charts below, crops planted in Bed 1 are planted in Bed 2 the following year, and in Bed 3 the year after that, and then Bed 4 and back to 1 again. Every year you are building up the organic matter and soil nutrients in one bed, by adding compost and planting a cover crop, also known as "green manure". SEE: Composting for information on compost and green manures.

Rotating your crops in this manner helps to keep your soil makeup balanced, insects at a minumum and your garden healthy. You will start to notice a healthy improvement in your garden produce.

**TIP: Remember that potatoes are the unique vegetable here. While keeping them in a rotation plan, you'll want to be sure they're planted in a bed that has not previously grown tomatoes, peppers, or eggplant.

The concept is very simple. Keep a notebook of where your crops are planted from year to year. This is a sure fire way to keep your crop rotation in line. The block charts below are a simple example of how most vegetable crops can be rotated each year in your garden.

In the Table below are the common vegetables listed by families or groups.

Crop and Variety Selection

One of the most important decisions an organic grower makes is crop and variety selection. Not all vegetables do well in all locations. Vegetables commonly grown in your area are your best bet for success. Trial and error will also help determine which vegetables are best suited to your area. As you try different varieties, keep records so that this information can be used in planning subsequent years.

Climate, disease, and insect problems will be important criteria when selecting vegetable crops. It should be pointed out, however, that one year's results may not be enough to determine the success of a particular vegetable. For example, a mild winter may result in a greater insect problem than one might expect the following season. On the other hand, a cold winter may result in sufficient suppression of the insect to make for a successful year.

Variety selection is another important consideration when selecting crops to be grown. When available, varieties with disease and insect resistance are best. Resistance, however, is seldom 100 percent, and the plant may show some symptoms but less severe symptoms than susceptible varieties.

Varieties can be grouped into two broad categories based on how they were developed.

F1 Hybrids: These are developed from crossing lines that have been inbred for several generations. These varieties have advantages of increased uniformity and, often, increased yield compared with open-pollinated varieties.

Open-pollinated: These varieties are less expensive, and popular open-pollinated varieties will remain in the market for years. In addition, these seed will remain true to type from one year to the next. Most older varieties are open-pollinated types. Very old varieties are often referred to as "heirloom" varieties, and many can be dated to the previous century and beyond. These varieties are often sources of unusual colors, shapes, and flavors.

Several vegetables are reproduced vegetatively; that is, from parts of the plant itself. These would include things such as sweet potatoes and Irish potatoes. To improve your results with these crops, buy certified slips for sweet potatoes and seed pieces for Irish potatoes. The certification process insures true-to-type, disease-free material.

See these other Organic Gardening categories:

Related Instructional Articles

Insect Control In The Vegetable Garden

Fertilizing Vegetable Plants

Disease Conrol In The Vegetable Garden

Weed Control In The Vegetable Garden

Pruning A Tomato Plant - Yes You Can!

Related Articles

Growing Tomatoes

Growing Fruit In The Garden

Growing Herbs

Sources: The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Cooperative Extension Service