Crop Rotation
Since ancient times, Man has farmed the land. First came
the Hunter-Gatherers who roamed the land picking wild berries and
vegetables. Somewhere along the way, Man used his noggin and began
planting seeds in small plots near his cave. A short while later another
brainstorm caused man to weed the field and provide water during droughts.
It wasn't until thousands of years later that Man finally wised up and
figured out the value of crop rotation.
Just think, you get the benefit of thousands of years of
learning just by reading this article!!!
What is Crop Rotation?
Crop Rotation is a farming practice where different crops
are planted in a certain section of the farm or garden each year.
The value of Crop Rotation:
Why rotate crop you ask? Good question. Here are three
answers to the value of crop rotation.
Soil Depletion: Each crop uses different types and
amounts of minerals from the soil. If the same crop is planted each and
every year, over time the soil is depleted of the minerals essential for
plant growth and health. In reverse, a different crop will sometimes
return missing minerals to the soil as the plant dies and composts or is
turned into the soil. By now you are wondering if today's fertilizers
return these lost chemicals and minerals. The answer is yes, but it
is not free and often not as good as a sound crop rotation program.
Insect Control: Insects can overwinter in your
soil. They enter the leaves and vines of your plants. As you till, plow,
or turn your garden over some of those insects find a very cozy home for
the winter inside decaying plant matter under your soil. Those greatful
insects re-awaken in the spring hungry to re-infest your crop.
Disease Prevention: Just like insects, plant
diseases can also overwinter in plant leaves and vines under your soil.
You can help to guard against this by removing and destroying any
diseased plants, but not all of the plant matter.
How to Rotate crops:
Here comes the easy part. Crops should be rotated on a
three year basis. They should be rotated every year. So a crop of
corn planted this year is not planted in the same field for the next two
years. Ideally, altogether different crops should be used each year as
insects and disease that affects one crop will also likely affect similar
crops.
Okay, so you have a home garden and only a small space.
You can still rotate your crops. In whatever space you have, rotate them
in a three year cycle. But also, be more diligent in discarding any insect
infested or diseased plant tissue.
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