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Crop rotation refers to the process or techniques of rotating different crops on the same plot of land throughout the year. Basically it explains the facts of nature that some plants are complementary to others in the natural habitat. This a must know subject for every gardener and organic gardener in particular. Apart from getting a full bounty of continuous supply of different crops throughout the year, it also reduces the cost of pest management and fertilization.
Before understanding the process of Crop rotation, you need to know little bit about the type of plants and its grouping. This is done based on their common features and requirements.
Benefits:
Some of the key benefits of crop rotation are:
- Fertilization of soil: One of the most important and crucial impact of crop rotation is it keeps the soil fertility for longer period of time. You need to apply nutrients from outside less frequently than in normal circumstances. As different crops use different soil nutrients you will never run out of any particular nutrient. For example, plants like leafy vegetables or Tomatoes use far too much nitrogen and phosphorus than plants like Carrots and Beetroots. So if you use the same area of your garden to grow Tomato you have to add phosphorus and Nitrogen from outside otherwise you would not get the desired result.
- Weed controlling: Some crops (like Potato and squash) with their dense vegetation tends to prevent the growth of any other unwanted plants by suppressing sunlight and other environmental factors. And, thus it makes a weed free place for the following crops.
- Pest management: Crop rotations also help in reducing the amount of pests and disease problems. Some of the plant actually compliment each other in managing pests. These plants are called companion plants. You can read more about these by clicking this link.
The process of Crop rotation:
Most of the common vegetables can be classified into five groups:
- Brassicas: this group includes vegetables such as Cabbage, Cauliflower, Radish, Turnips, etc.,
- Legumes: Plants such as Peas, Beans are some of the examples of this.
- Onions: Onions, Garlic, Leek etc
- Potatoes: Potato, Tomato etc
- Roots: Carrots, Beetroots Etc.
Then after a year move the vegetables anticlockwise to another section. This is a four-year rotation plan. You can divide your garden area according to your rotation plan.
First thing to do is to divide your gardening space in roughly Four equal parts. Then, plant different plants in different sections. As for example for first year plant peas, beans and other legumes in section 1, Cabbage, cauliflower Radish, etc., in section 2, Tomatoes in section 3 and club Onions and roots like Carrots or beetroots in section 4.Hope you enjoyed the article, please share your thoughts regarding this post.
