To maintain healthy soil and promote sustainable agriculture practices, it is essential to rotate your crops every three years. This cycle ensures that the soil is nurtured and that nutrients are replenished over time. The follow guide explain how.
Ideally crops should be rotated within a plot so that the same family group is never in the spot every year. This not only helps to keep soil nutrients at their optimum but also helps to avoid soil based pests and diseases which are often attracted to the 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 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 garden compost in the autumn or early winter. In the first year, grow Beans, Leek, Lettuce, Onions, Peas, and Tomatoes.
Section 2 – Dig the area over and add lime if the soil is acidic. This can be checked by using a pH 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, Cabbage, Cauliflower, and Kale.
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.
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Discover the joys of gardening year-round with our monthly guide! From sowing seeds in January to harvesting in July, each...
Ideally crops should be rotated within a plot so that the same family group is never in the spot every year. This not only helps to keep soil nutrients at their optimum but also helps to avoid soil based pests and diseases which are often attracted to the 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 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 garden compost in the autumn or early winter. In the first year, grow Beans, Leek, Lettuce, Onions, Peas, and Tomatoes.
Section 2 – Dig the area over and add lime if the soil is acidic. This can be checked by using a pH 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, Cabbage, Cauliflower, and Kale.
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.
Discover the joys of gardening year-round with our monthly guide! From sowing seeds in January to harvesting in July, each...
