SANDIA SEED BLOG

Seed growing tips, recipes & more! Read all Posts »

Good Crop Rotation is Important

A good crop rotation plan is critical for a productive vegetable garden. One of the rules of organic gardening is to rotate plant families from one season to the next, so related crops are not planted in the same spot more often than every three years. The purpose of crop rotation is to help maintain the balance of nutrients, organic matter, and micro-organisms necessary for healthy soil. When the same vegetable, like hot peppers, are planted year after year in the same plot, they become diseased and decline in productivity.

One suggestion for the first year in three different plots or garden rows.

Peppers and Tomatoes in row #1
Kale and Broccoli in row #2
Peas and Beans in row #3

The second year: Peppers and Tomatoes are in #2, Kale and Broccoli in #3 and Peas and Beans in #1. 
The third year: Peppers and Tomatoes in #3, Kale and Broccoli in #1 and Peas and Beans in #2.

Plant Families are below to help you create your long term crop rotation plan.
Pea or Legume family: peas and beans of all kinds.
Goosefoot family: beets, chard and spinach.
Mustard family: cabbage, collards, Brussel sprouts, kale, cauliflower, broccoli, kohlrabi, rutabaga, turnip, cress, horse-radish, and radish.
Parsley family: carrot, parsley, celery, and parsnip.
Nightshade family: potato, tomato, eggplant, and pepper.
Gourd family vine crops: summer squash, winter squash, pumpkin, watermelon, cantaloupe, and cucumber.
Composite family: chicory, endive, salsify, dandelion, lettuce, Jerusalem artichoke, and globe artichoke.
Lily family: onion, garlic, leek, and chives.
Grass family: sweet corn.
Mallow family: okra.

 

Back to blog
  • Reseeding the Sweet 16: March Madness

    Reseeding the Sweet 16: March Madness

    Reseeding the Sweet 16:  March Madness... We saw this headline on Google News and it took us a double take to realize it wasn't about gardening... not about basketball. haha!!...

    Reseeding the Sweet 16: March Madness

    Reseeding the Sweet 16:  March Madness... We saw this headline on Google News and it took us a double take to realize it wasn't about gardening... not about basketball. haha!!...

  • Companion Plants for Chile Peppers

    Companion Plants for Chile Peppers

      The reason companion planting is so beneficial is not fully understood, but has been noted by farmers and gardeners for many generations. There are some basic concepts that do...

    Companion Plants for Chile Peppers

      The reason companion planting is so beneficial is not fully understood, but has been noted by farmers and gardeners for many generations. There are some basic concepts that do...

  • How to Grow Chilli Plants

    How to Grow Chilli Plants

    Chillies, chiles, peppers, whatever you want to call them, are easy to grow plants in any vegetable garden. They do like warm weather, so it is best to start them...

    How to Grow Chilli Plants

    Chillies, chiles, peppers, whatever you want to call them, are easy to grow plants in any vegetable garden. They do like warm weather, so it is best to start them...

1 of 3
Fastest Growing Peppers

Fastest Growing Peppers

These are the fastest growing peppers that you can grow from seeds... 

Discount Seeds: 50% Off Seeds + Free Shipping on US Orders over $30

50% OFF SEEDS

Check out our 50% off Seed Discount deals below.  These seeds rotate... 

Best Peppers for Containers

Best Peppers for Containers

If you want to grow peppers in containers, below are our top favorite...