A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2005 Veggie rotation question

This is my current plan for next year:

PLOT #1: Beans -- Winter Rye (replaces Tomato)

PLOT #2: Carrot, Garlic*, Lettuce* and Radish (replaces Cucumber and Squash)

PLOT #3: Cucumber and Squash

PLOT #4: pepper and Tomato

PLOT #5: Brocolli* and Cabbage*

* Indicates new items

() Indicates what's growing this year.

I left my peppers in pots this year.

Each year I move everything up one plot and move 5 to 1. It does result in a ton of beans but even I can preserve them. I can also pull them early and plant winter rye. That combination should help rejuvenate the soil a bit.

--

I grew beans at the end of the raspberry rows, I'm expanding the raspberries in their space.

I grew carrot and radish under my nectarine, that's about run its course.

--

Will my rotation or pairings be a likely problem?

I don't see any specific problems but I always find it best to divide the like items so that it confuses bugs and disease. I can't say as it makes a big difference but companion planting does make sense. So I would not put broc and caul together or peppers and tomatoes together or cuc and squash together. Are you planting garlic in spring or fall?

Garlic will go in this fall, about mid/early September. (I've settled on German Red.) A single row on the north side of the plot. The growth habbit of both cucumber and squash (summer) allow for it.

I'm less worried about insects then I am bacteria in the soil. Planting the same family in the same plot and not replanting for 5 years should elimiate that concern.

I am looking for companion options and it seems basil (which I already grow) and dill would provide covering fire for some plants.

--

Oh, my weepy peppers (5 days without water in 8" pots) are back to cranking with the water I gave them last evening and the additional water I gave them this morning.