The practice of growing different plant families in the same garden area over successive seasons or years to improve soil health, reduce plant disease, and manage pests.
Many garden problems become worse when the same crop is grown in the same location repeatedly. Pests and disease-causing organisms can build up in the soil, while certain nutrients may become depleted over time.
Crop rotation helps break these cycles by changing what is grown in each bed from season to season. Different crops have different nutrient needs, root systems, and pest pressures, allowing the soil to recover and remain productive.
Legumes, for example, can contribute nitrogen to the soil, while heavy-feeding crops may use larger amounts of nutrients during the growing season.
Crop rotation is one of the simplest ways to maintain long-term garden productivity. By reducing the buildup of pests and diseases and balancing nutrient use, gardeners can improve yields while relying less on fertilizers and other interventions.