Crop Rotation Examples: Practical Schemes for Gardens and Small Farms

Introduction

Crop rotation is a simple planning tool that helps soils stay healthy, pests stay in check, and harvests stay steady. By rotating which crops grow where from season to season, you reduce disease buildup and draw on different soil nutrients.

What is crop rotation

Crop rotation means changing the plant families that grow in a bed or plot over time. Instead of planting the same crops in the same spot year after year, you move them to a different bed or area. This keeps soil nutrients balanced and makes it harder for pests and diseases that target specific families to take hold.

Why rotate crops

• Improves soil structure and organic matter over time
• Reduces pests and diseases that overwinter in soil
• Balances nutrient use by rotating crops with different needs
• Supports beneficial soil organisms and creates a more resilient garden

Common rotation patterns

Rotations can be simple or more elaborate, depending on space and crop choices. The goal is to avoid planting the same plant family in the same bed in consecutive years.

Two-year rotation (example)

In a two-year cycle, you avoid planting the same family in the same bed in back-to-back years. A common two-year plan looks like this:

• Year 1: Plant Solanaceae (tomato, pepper, eggplant) and Cucurbitaceae (cucumber, squash) in different beds.
• Year 2: Move to Fabaceae (beans, peas) and Brassicaceae (cabbage, broccoli) in the beds that hosted Year 1 crops.

This keeps the most nutrient-demanding crops apart from those that follow them and helps disrupt soil-borne pests.

Three-year rotation (example)

A longer cycle reduces risk of repeating a family too soon:

• Year 1: Brassicaceae (cabbage, broccoli, kale)
• Year 2: Solanaceae (tomato, pepper, eggplant)
• Year 3: Fabaceae (beans, peas)

After Year 3, repeat the cycle. You can insert other families (like Cucurbitaceae) where space allows, as long as you don’t repeat within the three-year window.

Four-year rotation (example)

A four-year plan spreads families more evenly:

• Year 1: Cucurbitaceae (cucumber, squash, melon)
• Year 2: Brassicaceae (cabbage, kale, broccoli)
• Year 3: Solanaceae (tomato, pepper, eggplant)
• Year 4: Fabaceae (beans, peas)

Then cycle back to Year 1. This approach works well in medium-to-large plots where several beds are available.

Getting started in your garden

• Map your beds and label them with crop families (for example: Brassicaceae, Solanaceae, Fabaceae).
• Plan a rotation calendar for the next 3–4 years before planting. Write down which crops will go where and when.
• Start small: rotate 2–3 crops per bed in year one and expand as you gain confidence.
• Use cover crops or compost in off-years to maintain soil health and reduce erosion.

Step-by-step plan (quick guide)

1. Identify the major crop families you grow.
2. Decide on a rotation length (2, 3, or 4 years) based on space.
3. Create a bed-by-bed plan that moves each family to a new bed each year.
4. Label beds clearly and keep a simple record to help with year-to-year planning.
5. Monitor results and adjust based on pest pressure and nutrient needs.

Benefits of crop rotation

• Builds soil structure and organic matter over time
• Reduces disease pressure and pest buildup
• Helps balance nutrient use and improves fertilizer efficiency
• Enables flexible planning for different garden sizes and climates

Conclusion

Crop rotation is a low-effort, high-yield practice that can fit gardens of any size. By rotating plant families and planning ahead, you can protect soil health, cut pest and disease pressure, and maintain steady harvests season after season.