Crop Rotation and Intercropping

Peppers, tomatoes and potatoes are all members of the same family and should be rotated.

Each species of plant needs a different mix of nutrients. Over time, these nutrients are depleted from the soil. Fertilizers replace some of these nutrients. Rotation and intercropping allows the soil to recover, and promotes an increase in crop yield.

In addition, insect populations and diseases can set up housekeeping in the garden. Rotating and interplanting helps maintain a plant-friendly environment.

Adapted from commercial growers, crop rotation is not just switching out different vegetables. Make sure the plant families are different. Rotate each growing season if at all possible. Every three years is about the longest you should go.

Admittedly, crop rotation can be a challenge. Home gardeners often have a relatively limited space for vegetable gardening. They also have their favorite vegetable crops and don't like to reduce or eliminate their planting. If you can get past that hurdle, rotate crops from the following families:

• Legumes - Beans, peas



• Solanaceous - Potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant



• Cucurbits - Cucumber, melons, squash



• Tuberous - Onions, carrots, beets



• Cole/Brassica - Broccoli, cauliflower, turnips, lettuce, spinach

Onions and broccoli are two examples of companion plants for intercropping.

Using ancient principles of companion planting, intercropping lets plants' natural qualities complement each other. Intercropping is the planting of different varieties within close proximity. Side-by-side planting offers many benefits. Legumes, for example, supply nitrogen to the soil for neighboring plants to use. Certain plants provide natural deterrents to insect pests. Taller plants offer support to vining plants. Low-growing plants provide shade to the roots of nearby plants.

As with crop rotation, weeds, pests and diseases are reduced. Intercropping can also be used in succession planting. Here, early maturing crops are combined with later varieties for perpetual yield all season long. The gardener also saves space in the bargain.