Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I recently read about the benefits of garden rotation.  I am intrigued by this. Are there certain plants that should not go on ground that other plants were on the previous year? Example, can tomatoes go on ground where potatoes were planted last year?
I have been trying to research what plants do better with certain soils. And how long is a good rotation 2, 4 years? Any help would be great.

ANSWER: Erin:
I'm glad you're thinking about this - I believe it is important to the health of your garden. In answer to your example question, no, they can't. I have an article on my blog that very briefly explains this. Read it and let me know if you have further questions.

Most vegetables like the same type of soil - near neutral, loose, well-drained with plenty of organic matter. Are you looking for things that grow well on a certain type? You might also want to check out the article on amendments on the blog, which will tell you what you can add to improve problem soils.

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QUESTION: Hi,
Thanks for answering my question. Do you know of a list that has the different plant families and where they can go for rotations?

I have a variety of types of soil in my garden (it extends about a 1/8 of an acre)from loose/well-drained to lumpy/hard. I am mainly trying to find which plants like nitrogen/other nutrients and don't.  Also which plants will loosen or break up the soil and make the soil deeper.  Thank You.

Answer
Erin:
I have seen sample rotations in various books and articles, but there is no set order. One way is to follow heavy feeders like corn and tomatoes with light feeders like roots and potatoes. Beans and peas are good following anything, as they help return nitrogen to the soil.

All vegetables (all plants for that matter) need nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in varying amounts. The texture of your soil does not indicate how fertile it is. Lumpy, hard soil can be broken up by tillage - either by hand (preferred) or machine. Any gardening book that includes information on vegetables will tell you how much fertilizer they like, though in most you would have to look up each vegetable separately.