CROP ROTATION

Crops are rotated to prevent disease, control insects, and maintain soil condition.  Soil-borne diseases and insects are controlled by not planting crops in the same area in succeeding years.  There are 3 families of plants that should be rotated as a group because they carry similar diseases and attract the same insects: 

PLANT FAMILIES TO ROTATE AS A GROUP

Also, crops are rotated based on how they affect the condition of the soil.  Plants fall into 3 categories:

• HEAVY FEEDERS -- Heavy feeders deplete the soil and should follow fertilization, light feeders, or soil improvers.
• LIGHT FEEDERS --  Light feeders also deplete the soil and should follow light feeders, fertilization, or soil improvers.
• SOIL IMPROVERS --  Soil improvers can follow any crop or fertilization.

HOW PLANTS AFFECT THE SOIL