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