No one is going to take away your birthday if you forget to rotate your crops this season. That said, crop rotation is a good habit for gardeners to pick up. When a vegetable such tomatoes are grown in the same garden space year after year, harmful microbes in the soil that are specific to individual plant families can build up.

If tomatoes are planted in the same garden bed the following season, they can attack the next tomato crop or other member of the nightshade family such as peppers, potatoes, and eggplant. The idea is that if you rotate your tomatoes (or other nightshade family member) with a plant species from a different family, the microbes that have the potential to otherwise wipe out your tomatoes will have no effect on a vegetable crop such as beans (legume family). The best scenario is to have a plant family come full circle – back to its original garden spot – only every 3 – 4 years.

Vegetable Plant Families

• Nightshade (Solanaceae) – tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, peppers
• Carrot (Umbelliferae) – celery, carrots, parsley
• Legume (Leguminosae) – peas, beans, lentils
• Mustard/Brassica (Cruciferae) – broccoli, caulifower, kale, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, turnips, radishes
• Sunflower (Compositae) – lettuce, artichokes, Jerusalem artichokes
• Cucurbit (Cucurbitaceae) – pumpkins, melons, squash, gourds, cucumbers
• Allium (Amaryllidaceae) – onions, garlic, leeks
• Goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) – spinach, Swiss chard, beets

This isn’t to say that if you didn’t rotate your crops this year that they would contract diseases for certain; only that it reduces the possibility. Crop rotation also helps keep the soil’s nutrition balanced. Some veggies such as corn have voracious appetites and really suck the nutrients out of the soil. After the corn harvest, it would be wise to plant that bed with some nitrogen-fixing legumes to drag some food back into the earth. Similarly, you can plant some peas or beans in a garden bed and follow that planting with a nitrogen lover such as broccoli.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Tubtrugs SP42GBK Flexible Black Gorilla Large 38 Liter/10 Gallon Capacity

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

2 comfort grip handles. Flexible sides for shaping against a wall or floor. Reinforced ribbing for extra strength. 100% recycled construction. Nontoxic, toy safe.

Buy at Amazon

A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

MULTITASKING DUAL EDGES: a deep serrated edge and a tapered slicing edge ideal for tough or delicate cuts. DURABLE 6-inch stainless steel blade withstands 300 lbs of pressure. TWINE CUTTING NOTCH, DEPTH GAUGE MARKINGS & spear point - no need to switch tools when using this garden knife. LEATHER SHEATH: heavy duty, protective, clip on sheath to keep your knife convenient and secure. LIFETIME WARRANTY.

Buy at Amazon

Spearhead Shade Gardening Shovel with Steel-Reinforced Fiberglass Handle

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Reduce Digging Effort - The Spear Head Spade is the first hybrid shovel/spade, guaranteed to make your toughest digging up to 80% easier than regular shovels and spades, even in the toughest soil conditions. Ideal for landscaping and gardening. Multi-Purpose Shovel - Spear Head Spade is a versatile tool that can be used for digging, planting, weeding, cutting, and edging. It is designed to handle tough soil and clay conditions, and can cut through roots and tough vegetation with ease. Innovative Design - Has a unique blade design that makes it more efficient and easier to use than traditional spades. The blade is shaped like a spearhead, with a pointed tip and a curved edge that allows it to penetrate the soil more easily. Ergonomic D-Handle - The large, cushioned D-grip offers comfort and better leverage for gloved and ungloved hands alike, reducing strain on the hands and wrists. Lightweight & Strong - Durable handle is made of special steel-reinforced, pultruded fiberglass to withstand heavy use. 60% stronger than EN-3388 shovel/spade standards, 33% thicker and 25% harder than normal shovels. Sharpened from tip to tail at a 35 degree angle for an effective and durable edge.

Buy at Amazon