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Crop rotation is the practice of not growing plants where similar plants grew the previous year.
This practice prevents the build up of pests and diseases and optimizes the use of soil nutrients. Plants from different "families" need different amounts of nutrients and their root systems also penetrate the soil to different levels. To simplify, we try to alternate between leaf crops and root crops. Leaf crops tend to be heavy nitrogen feeders with fairly shallow root systems. Root crops usually require more phosphorus and potassium and need deep soils in order to grow properly.
Different plant families also prefer different soil pH levels, so the rotation plan includes planning lime applications.
PH preferences are: Higher pH (limed) Lower pH (acidic)
Brassicas, Solanum Salad, Potatoes, Spinach, Root crops, Squash, Alliums, Peas & Beans
- Brassicas: include cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel
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For gardeners who are considering building raised beds, the key is to make sure the soil in the bed is well-aerated. The sides of the bed don't necessarily have to be held up with bricks or wood (which are great slug and sow-bug havens), but can be used for planting. Make use of low-growing ornamental plants on the sides of the beds. All the vegetables, except the root crops, can also be planted right down the sides to the path.
"Double-digging" is the term used to describe soil preparation for raised beds. The joy of this method of preparation and gardening is that plant roots are really happy and you only get to do it once, because you will NOT be walking on those beds again. Weeding is done from the path and a piece of plywood can be laid over the bed if you want to plant while sitting on the soil. If you want to repeat the double-digging in future years, lay the plywood down and stand on it while you dig. Decide on the shape and size of each bed, remembering t
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