Is crop rotation in a vegetable garden necessary? What is the best way to do this?
Crop rotation is very important in maintaining soil fertility, allowing more efficient use of those nutrients. Crops in a garden setting are in one of three categories regarding nutrient requirements: heavy feeders, light feeders, and soil builders. Heavy feeders include tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage, corn, eggplant, beets, and others. Light feeders are crops such as onions, garlic, potatoes, turnips, and others. The soil builders are legumes such as peas, beans, and clover, which fix nitrogen in the soil. Since different crops use different nutrients, a scheduled rotation plan is a good way to keep the soil fertile. Rotating crops will also help break pest and disease cycles, boost yields, ad improve the soil structure by alternating deeply root vegetables with shallow rooted varieties.
A good four-year rotation schedule to meet these needs could involve rotating legumes (nitrogen fixers), then leafy vegetables and other heavy feeders, followed by fruits (tomatoes and peppers) which need phosphorous and potassium, and then root vegetables which are light feeders. It is also important to avoid planting crops from the same family, such as potatoes and tomatoes or peppers, in the same spot two years in a row. It is best to wait three to four years before planting the same vegetable in the same spot, to avoid disease and pest cycles.
Why are my rhubarb leaves turning red?
This is generally a normal reaction to seasonal changes, often starting in mid-summer onward, with cooler nights and warmer days. Other possibilities could include rhubarb rust (fungus) with small red-orange spots or red leaf disease (crown rot). Close inspection should reveal if this is a natural occurrence or indication of disease. If only the older outer leaves are turning red, this color change is most likely due to natural causes and not disease. Continue to monitor for any sign of disease and water well during dry spells as stress can also cause this color change.
How important is soil testing for my small garden? How often should this be done?
Basic soil testing is very important to maintain good soil nutrition, particularly if yields from your garden have been decreasing, to identify any problems. Ideally, soil testing should be done every two years before planting.
Basic soil testing is performed by the MU Soil Lab in partnership with Master Gardeners of Greene County. Cost for basic testing is $30, other testing and suggestions for nutrient management plans, environmental issues, and others are available on request. The soil sample for basic testing should contain two cups of dry soil, with samples taken from five or six locations in the area being tested at a depth of 6 to 7 inches. Samples can be taken to the Extension Center on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can contact Master Gardeners of Greene County at 417-874-2963 for any questions. Results are usually available in two weeks, including fertilizer and lime recommendations…