Crop rotation in the garden

Cultivation of the same vegetable crops on the same plot for several years in a row gradually leads to a decrease in yield. This is because the soil is depleted; all the nutrients that the crop needs to grow have already been used up. Also, the soil becomes infected with diseases that are characteristic of this species and accumulates pests. The best way to avoid this is to use an agronomic method like crop rotation in the garden.
Crop rotation-alternation of planting vegetables on the site, i.e. in one year, one plant was planted on the bottom bed, in another year another.

Reasons to use crop rotation in the garden:

Over time, the fertility of the soil decreases as the plants draw out the same elements from it, which are necessary specifically for him for life.

Many pests and diseases affect a particular type of plant, and over time there are more and more of them, which lead to the death of the plant even before fruiting.

The same plants release toxins into the soil, which accumulate and slow down the growth of the crop.
By planting the same vegetable, you increase soil erosion, as each type of plant has a specific root shape around which the soil collapses.

Benefits of crop rotation in the garden:

Crop rotation in the garden improves the structure of the soil, since plants with a fibrous and tap root system, with deep and not very roots, will alternate. As a result, the porosity of the soil increases.
Together with the improvement of the structure, the water-holding capacity of the soil will increase.

Soil erosion will decrease.

Soil fertility will improve. Since with the correct selection of the plant, the earth will not be depleted, but, on the contrary, will be replenished with organic matter. For example, the legume lupine has a deep root system that will lift nutrients into the upper layers.

The soil becomes healthier. It is home to fewer pathogens, plant pests. There are fewer weeds.

Before you start a crop rotation, you need to write what crops you have on the site, i.e. what crops do you grow each year. Then you form the beds. It is best that there are at least 4 of them, and it is better that at least 6.

Since the causative agents of diseases can live in the soil for 4-6 years. If you return the plant to the same bed earlier, there will be no benefit from the crop rotation.

Types of crop rotation in the garden

Plants are planted in groups - the easiest method. With this method, cultures are divided into several groups. Legumes (soybeans, beans, lentils), root vegetables (radish, turnips, beets), nightshades (potatoes, eggplant, peppers), herbs (cilantro, parsley, dill).

In the first year, plant legumes on the first bed, on roots, on the third nightshade, on the 4th greens. And change it consistently every year. That is, on the 1st bed there will be root crops, on the 2nd nightshade, on the 3rd greens, on the 4th legumes, and so on.

Alternation of crops by families. That is, also sequentially plant one after the other vegetables belonging to the same family on the beds. For example, legumes-nightshade-cruciferous-lily-pumpkin.

Plants are planted according to their nutrient requirements. There are plants that are demanding on nutrients in the soil, and there are almost no demanding ones.

In the first year, crops are sown with a high need (celery, garlic, leeks), in the 2nd year with an average need (parsley, beets, turnips), in the 3rd with a small need (dill, broccoli, radish). In the 4th year, fertilizer is applied and planted again from demanding plants.

Plants are planted depending on how they affect the soil.That is, in the first year, plants are planted that greatly deplete the soil, then in the 2nd year they are moderately depleting, in the 3rd year they are weakly depleting, and in the 4th year they enrich the soil. And on a new one.

Planting plants according to the predecessor. It is considered the most difficult. That is, the crop rotation is built in such a way that the predecessor that grew on this bed last year creates optimal conditions for the growth of the crop that you want to plant this year.

Before sowing, be sure to look at the information in specialized reference books, where there are special tables. They describe plants that are a good predecessor to such and such plants, and the worst predecessor to such and such plants.

For example, legumes (peas, beans, beans) are good to plant after tomato, potato, cabbage, and tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, after carrots, radishes, onions.

Alternation of vegetable crops with siderite. Siderites are plants that enrich the soil with nutrients and improve its properties. Siderates include legumes, crucifers, and cereals. They can be alternated from year to year in the beds, or planted together with vegetable crops.

The crop rotation in the garden can be used not only for vegetables, but also for fruits and flowers.

For the correct crop rotation in the garden, you need to look, and my plants do not belong to the same family that grew here in previous years, since plants belonging to the same family usually have the same diseases and the same pests.

Whichever crop rotation you choose in the garden, simple or complex, it will certainly benefit. You will feel that the harvest has increased, and there is less worries about the plant.