Planting the same crop in the same spot year after year invites pests and diseases and drains specific nutrients. Crop rotation fixes this by moving plant families around each season. You don't need a complex chart — just a simple, memorable system.
Think in plant families
Rotate by family, since related plants share pests and nutrient needs:
- ›Legumes (beans, peas) — fix nitrogen, feeding the soil.
- ›Leafy/brassicas (lettuce, kale, broccoli) — hungry for nitrogen.
- ›Fruiting (tomatoes, peppers, squash) — heavy feeders.
- ›Roots (carrots, beets, onions) — light feeders that break up soil.
A simple 4-year cycle
Move each family to the next bed each year: legumes → leafy → fruiting → roots → back to legumes. The nitrogen-fixing legumes set up the hungry crops that follow. In a small garden, even a 2- or 3-bed rotation helps.
Why it works
- ›Breaks pest and disease cycles that build up in soil.
- ›Balances nutrient use so no bed gets exhausted.
- ›Improves soil structure as different roots work different depths.
Keep it trackable in a shared garden
In a community garden, jot down what went where each year — a note in your garden journal is perfect, so next year's crew knows the plan.
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