I want to Start Growing a Vegetable Garden. Which Plants Can I Grow in Crop Rotation with the Plants I Already Plan on Growing?

Crop rotation is the practice of growing different types of crops in the same area in sequenced seasons. Do you plan on growing plants throughout the year, season after season?

Will you be planting deep root crops like asparagus, tomatoes or sweet potatoes?

Will you be planting root vegetables like beets, carrots or potatoes?

Will you be planting legumes like alfalfa, beans, peas, chickpeas, etc?

Will you be planting crops with slow germination like alliums, celery, parsley or pepper?

Will you be planting crops from the same family like turnips and cabbage or like celery and parsley?

Will you be planting quick-growing crops like radishes, cucumber or peas?

Will you be planting fruits like tomatoes, eggplants, cucumbers or peppers?

If you do not wish to grow vegetables all year round, there is no need for crop rotation. Intercropping may give better results in your garden.

You can grow deep root crops in crop rotation with shallow root crops like lettuce, cauliflower or onions. This way, good soil structure, porosity, and air capacity are maintained.

You can grow crops with larger root biomass in crop rotation with crops that have smaller root biomass like beans, broccoli or eggplant. This way you will provide enough food for all the beneficial soil organisms such as earthworms and increase soil organic matter.

You can grow legumes in crop rotation with any non-legume plant. Legumes have the nitrogen fixation ability, so by this crop rotation, you will make sure all plants will have enough nitrogen to grow.

Since slowly germinating crops are sensitive to weeds, you should plant them after growing weed-suppressing crops like alfalfa, rapeseed or sunflower. This way you will make sure that sensitive crops will be weed-free.

You should not plant crops from the same family in rotation, as their nutrient needs are often similar. This can lead to decreased soil fertility. Instead, you should alternate between different families and the soil will stay fertile at all times.

You should plant quick-growing crops after crops that have a lengthy growing season like eggplants, spring onions or Irish potatoes. By doing this crop rotation your garden will stay green whole year round, which prevents soil erosion and helps the soil stay fertile.

You should plant fruits in crop rotation after growing root plants (carrots, beets, potatoes, etc.) because the soil will be rich in organic matter.

A general rule of thumb for crop rotation is to rotate between growing root crops (carrots, beets, potatoes, etc.), leaf crops (cauliflower, lettuce, spinach, etc.) and cereals (wheat, maize, rye, etc.). This prevents weed growth, increases soil biodiversity and allows for better quality crops.