Skip to main content

Crop Rotation Guide for Vegetable Gardens

Looking for a way to help reduce insect pests, plant diseases, and the use of chemicals and pesticides? Consider rotating the crops in your garden! 

Below you'll find a comprehensive garden crop rotation and companion planting guide to help you develop your garden plans on a four-year rotation . This is a hypothetical plan, but it is intended to help you make informed and strategic decisions for your garden to minimize the effects of insect pests, diseases and more. 

Four-Year Suggested Crop Rotations

Starting Plant Family/Crops (Year 1) Rotation for Year 2 Rotation for Year 3 Rotation for Year 4
Amaranthacae:
Beet
Spinach 
Swiss chard








Brassicaceae:
Broccoli
Cabbage
Brussels sprouts
Kale
Kohlrabi
Cauliflower
Rutabaga
Mustard
Turnips
Radishes
Asian greens
Asteraceae:
Lettuce 
Endive
Radicchio








Solanaceae:
Tomato
Pepper
Eggplant
Irish Potato







Brassicaceae:
Broccoli
Cabbage
Brussels sprouts
Kale
Kohlrabi
Cauliflower
Rutabaga
Turnips
Radishes
Asian greens
Fabaceae:
Beans
Peas
Edamame
Fava bean
Lima bean





Solanaceae:
Tomato
Pepper
Eggplant
Irish Potato






Poaceae:
Sweet corn









Apiaceae:
Carrot 
Parsley
Celery
Parsnip
Celeriac
Cilantro
Fennel



Solanaceae:
Tomato
Pepper
Eggplant
Irish Potato






Brassicaceae:
Broccoli
Cabbage
Brussels sprouts
Kale
Kohlrabi
Cauliflower
Rutabaga
Turnips
Radishes
Asian greens
Cucurbitaceae:
Melons
Cucumber
Winter squash
Summer squash






Cucurbitaceae:
Melons
Cucumber
Winter squash
Summer squash

Fabaceae:
Beans
Peas
Edamame
Fava bean
Lima bean
Solanaceae:
Tomato
Pepper
Eggplant
Irish Potato

Amaranthacae:
Beet
Spinach 
Swiss chard


Fabaceae:
Beans
Peas
Edamame
Fava bean
Lima bean





Solanaceae:
Tomato
Pepper
Eggplant
Irish Potato






Brassicaceae:
Broccoli
Cabbage
Brussels sprouts
Kale
Kohlrabi
Cauliflower
Rutabaga
Turnips
Radishes
Asian greens
Cucurbitaceae:
Melons
Cucumber
Winter squash
Summer squash






Poaceae:
Sweet corn



Summer Cover Crop:
Cowpea
Buckwheat


Solanaceae:
Tomato
Pepper
Eggplant
Irish Potato
Alliaceae:
Onion
Garlic
Leek

Solanaceae:
Tomato
Pepper
Eggplant
Irish Potato






Fabaceae:
Beans
Peas
Edamame
Fava bean
Lima bean





Brassicaceae:
Broccoli
Cabbage
Brussels sprouts
Kale
Kohlrabi
Cauliflower
Rutabaga
Turnips
Radishes
Asian greens
Cucurbitaceae:
Melons
Cucumber
Winter squash
Summer squash






Alliaceae:
Onion
Garlic
Leek




Cucurbitaceae:
Melons
Cucumber
Winter squash
Summer squash



Apiaceae: 
Carrot
Parsley
Celery
Parsnip
Celericac
Cilantro
Fennel
Solanaceae:
Sweet potato






 

Suggested Companion Plants by Plant Family

Companion planting is not only beneficial for your plants, but it also helps maximize your space. Using different types of plants can help deter harmful insects and wildlife, provide support for crops, offer shade to smaller plants, provide weed suppression, attract beneficial insects and increase your overall soil health. Below is a list of recommended companion plants for each of the plant families in the Crop Rotation Guide. Pair with the rotation guide for a more complete Integrated Pest Management approach. 

  • Amaranthacae: Plant with basil, chives, leek, green onions, cucumber, carrot, bush bean
  • Brassicaceae: Plant with beets, carrots, celery, cucumber, nasturtium, spinach, leaf lettuce
  • Apiaceae: Plant with beets, spinach, Swiss chard
  • Cucurbitaceae: Plant with broccoli, cabbage, turnip, radish
  • Fabaceae: Plant with beets, spinach, Swiss chard
  • Poaceae: Plant with beans, summer/winter squash, sweet potatoes
  • Solanaceae: Plant with basil, carrots, chives, onions, parsley, leaf lettuce, strawberry
  • Alliaceae: Plant with beets, cabbage, broccoli, kohlrabi, spinach, Irish potatoes