Crop rotation in the vegetable garden

In short: Crop rotation means growing vegetables from a different plant family on a bed each year instead of always the same thing in the same spot. This prevents soil fatigue, nutrient depletion, and the spread of diseases.

In more detail: Plants from the same family draw similar nutrients from the soil and are often affected by the same pests or diseases, which can build up in the soil.

In detail

• Heavy feeders first: Tomatoes, cabbage, or pumpkins need lots of nutrients in the first year after fertilizing and grow best there.
• Medium feeders next: In the second year come plants like onions or carrots, which get by with fewer nutrients.
• Light feeders last: Herbs and legumes like beans or peas close the cycle and even enrich the soil with nitrogen.
• Combining with companion planting: Crop rotation works well together with companion planting within one season (mischkultur-im-gemuesegarten).
• Mind plant families: Tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers all belong to the nightshade family and shouldn’t follow each other.
• Soil rest: After three to four years of cultivation, a break with green manure is recommended before the same plant type returns.
• Planning: A simple garden plan tracking previous years helps keep track of the crop rotation (tomaten-anbauen).