Crop rotation is the practice of growing different crops on a piece of land from one season to the next, as opposed to growing the same crop continuously. Because pests and disease-causing organisms tend to increase when their host is continuously grown in the same location, crop rotation can reduce insect and disease problems. This practice can be especially effective in reducing soilborne diseases when several years pass before a susceptible crop is replanted on the same piece of land.
For crop rotation to be effective, it helps to know the relationship between common garden crops. For example, tomatoes and peppers are closely related, are susceptible to many of the same pests and diseases, and should not be grown after one another.
Remember that just rotating the placement of each single vegetable is not enough. Rotation of family groups is also important.
Very small gardens and the lack of other available space in the landscape often make rotation impossible.
Soil solarization has proven to be very effective for small garden areas. Soil solarization controls a wide variety of soil pests and is a technique commonly used in integrated pest management programs. Keep records.
