Crop Rotation — Why the Same Plant Destroys Your Garden Every Year
In short: Planting the same plant family in the same place year after year destroys the soil by multiplying pathogens and depleting specific mineral components. 4-field rotation is the basic tool for a healthy garden.
Crop Rotation — Foundation of a Healthy Garden
Soil has memory. Soil-borne pathogens overwinter and multiply if you give them the same plant family in the same place year after year.
What happens without crop rotation:
- Soil pathogens multiply — clubroot can survive in soil for 10–15 years
- Specific mineral components are depleted by the same plants
- Soil pests (wireworms, nematodes) have constant access to their host
Basic rule:
Don't plant the same botanical family in the same place for a minimum of 3–4 years.Main families to track:
- Nightshades: tomato, pepper, potato, eggplant
- Brassicas: cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, radish, arugula
- Umbellifers: carrot, parsley, celery, dill
- Legumes: bean, pea, fava bean
4-field rotation:
Divide your garden into 4 zones. Each family moves to the next zone every year.zielnamanufaktura.pl
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