Crop Rotation

The idea of crop rotation is to grow different crops on a different part of the vegetable plot each year. This helps to reduce the build-up of pests and diseases that are specific to certain crops.  

So, by planting carrots in plot 1 for the first year and plot 2 for the 2nd year, it makes it more difficult for carrot root fly to build up their population as they must keep hunting out the crop. It also acts as a preparation for the next crop. By planting a root crop like carrots in plot 1 in the first year, it helps to break up the soil nicely for legumes to grow the next year and they in-turn can be followed by a leafy crop, like cabbages, as the legumes release nitrogen into the soil. 

A 4-year rotation works very well. The image to the right is an example of good crop rotation.