Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Different vegetable plants use varying amounts of nutrients from
the soil to grow well. You already know that you should add organic
matter and fertilizer to your soil every year, but it is also important
to move your plants around so you don't deplete the soil's nutrients.
One year you may grow a vegetable that uses a lot of nitrogen, and
the following year you may plant a crop that uses more phosphorus.
Rotating the crops gives the soil time to rebuild the nitrogen in that
area.
Crop rotation also helps you cut down on pests and diseases in
your garden. A few of these little guys can wreak havoc on your
vegetable patch, so it's in your best interest to keep them out. Cer-
tain vegetable plants will attract certain pests and diseases, which
often live in the soil where the plant grows. By moving these veget-
able plants to another area of the garden, you deprive the pests or
diseases of their food. On the other hand, some plants repel certain
pests and diseases, which will also help to keep them at bay.
Smoothie Garden Solution
Flowers are a great way to add beauty to your vegetable garden
and attract beneficial insects-and some flowers are even edible.
Bee balm, pansies, nasturtiums, geraniums, tulips, violas, lav-
ender, hollyhock, dianthus, daylilies, and roses are all edible and
easy to grow. Harvest blooms just before using them.
To implement crop rotation in your garden, first divide your garden
site into four fairly equal areas-five if you are planning to grow some
perennial vegetables like asparagus or artichokes. You will plant a
certain family of vegetables in each spot one year and move it clock-
wise to the next spot the following year. This will give you a four-
year crop rotation. It is important to write down or draw a sketch of
