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Crop Rotation

Crop rotation is one of those things that are simple in theory but quite complicated in practice. A lot of new growers get really worried and concerned about crop rotating and planning. Others come up with plans of incredible complexity that usually fall apart on the second season.

My basic advice is not to worry too much about crop rotation. Keep a record of what gets planted where and try to avoid planting in the same place for two years running. Having said that, sometimes it’s unavoidable.

The simplest system is the three year cropping plan promoted in the WW2 Dig for Victory campaign and that’s a good place to start.

Main Articles on Crop Rotation

Crop Rotation - History & Principles of Crop Rotation

An overview of the reasons for following crop rotation and the history of crop rotation. Once you understand the principles of crop rotation the various systems and the theories behind those systems start to make sense. Why follow Crop Rotation? ...

Crop Rotation - Plant Families or Groups for Crop Rotation

When planning your crop rotation you need to know what family the various plants belong to. Plants within the same group tend to have the same requirements and suffer from the same pests and problems. For example, clubroot affects brassicas,...

Crop Rotation - The Three Year Crop Rotation Plan

This is the basic standard crop rotation favoured by many gardeners because of its simplicity. After taking out the permanent beds, the growing space is divided into three and handled as below. It was heavily promoted in the WW2 'Dig for Victory'...

Crop Rotation – The Four Year Crop Rotation Plan

As with the three year crop rotations and five year crop rotations, we divide our plot up after allowing for the permanent beds of comfrey, asparagus and rhubarb etc. In this case into four beds or areas. We start the preceding winter by adding...

Crop Rotation - The Five Year Crop Rotation Plan

This is the five year crop rotation plan I try to follow myself. I say 'try' because there are always crops that don't fit in so neatly and with those my main aim is to space the crops as far apart as reasonable to avoid disease and deficiencies. ...

Practical Example Crop Rotation

Planning the Allotment or Vegetable Plot - A Practical Example of Crop Rotation Planning This series on planning my allotment plot, written in 2004, fits in well with the crop rotation articles as it will give you some idea of the process working through...