Last updated
05 February 2012
Quest for the Good Life 
Crop Rotation
Crop rotations form the centre of any food production system whether it’s full scale farming, market gardening or your allotment. Rotating the crops around the plot ensures pests and diseases do not build up in the soil. Crops are divided into families or groups and planted accordingly. Each year these groups are moved along to the next section of the plot.
In 2011 we grew our vegetables according to the Ministry of Agricultures “Dig for
Victory” war time plan. Designed to help home growers produce enough vegetables
for all the year round. Part of this plan involves crop rotation. They group together
crops into three broad groups:-
Group A crops are potatoes and root crops (with some spinach beet thrown in!). This group includes Parsnips, Carrots, Early and Main crop Potatoes, Spinach Beet and or Sea Kale Beet.
Group B crops are the Winter and Spring Green Crops. Mostly Brassicas with a few others dotted in when possible.
Group C crops are classed as miscellaneous. That includes peas, beans, onions,shallots, broad beans and runner beans. Most of these are legumes.
Then we have some others which seem to be assigned to an area around the tool shed or compost heap. These plants do not require so much of a rotation as they are less affected by the build up of disease in the soil.
So this is how the Dig for Victory grow for winter plan groups crops together. There are one or two other plants like winter and summer lettuce and leeks that follow on or intercrop between existing ones. These are show clearly on the leaflet.
So we have three nice groups -
This is a three year rotation based on the groups of crops above. It is not until the fourth year are the same type of crops grown in the same piece of soil. Pests and diseases are reduced this way. Combined with good soil management and quality plants, the vegetable garden should provide you with ample food.
You can find out more about planning for the Dig for Victory plot, or find out more about the vegetables.