START PLANNING NOW FOR SPRING GARDENS
During these cold winter days, it’s a good time to start thinking about warmer weather and the upcoming growing season. For gardeners, that means evaluating their garden site, crops planted and new items for 2008. One important question to consider is why is it important to rotate crops in the vegetable garden?
Many disease organisms are soil-borne and may persist in the soil for several years. Disease problems often increase when the same crop is planted in the same area in successive years. Annually rotating vegetables in the garden can help reduce the severity of diseases. Rotation also may help curb insect infestations. Insect populations and plant damage may increase when the same crop is planted in the same area over several years.
Vegetable crops in the same botanical family are often susceptible to the same diseases and insects. For crop rotation to be effective, gardeners should not plant vegetables belonging to the same plant family in the same location for two or three years. Obviously, crop rotation in a small garden may be difficult. However, home gardeners should rotate their vegetable crops as best they can.
To assist crop rotation efforts, the following list places the commonly grown vegetables in their proper botanical families. Onions and garlic are members of the Alliaceae (Onion) Family. The Apiaceae (Carrot) Family includes carrots and parsnips. Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, kale and collards are members of the Brassicaceae (Mustard) Family. The Cucurbitaceae (Gourd) Family includes cucumber, muskmelon, watermelon, squash, pumpkin and gourd. Garden peas and snap beans are in the Fabaceae (Pea) Family. Members of the Solanaceae (Nightshade) Family include tomato, pepper, eggplant and potato.
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4/16/2008