Skip to content
BeetfoxDeutsch

Crop rotation chart: heavy, medium and light feeders

How much a plant takes from the soil, which family it belongs to and how many years it needs before it goes back into the same bed.

Check your bed: what to plant after …?
PlantFamilyRotation break
heavy feeder · 18
Aubergine (eggplant)Nightshade family4 years
BroccoliCabbage family4 years
Brussels sproutsCabbage family4 years
CauliflowerCabbage family4 years
CeleriacCarrot family4 years
CeleryCarrot family4 years
CucumberSquash family4 years
Florence fennelCarrot family4 years
KaleCabbage family4 years
LeekOnion family4 years
PotatoNightshade family4 years
Pumpkin and winter squashSquash family4 years
Red cabbageCabbage family4 years
Savoy cabbageCabbage family4 years
Sweet pepperNightshade family4 years
TomatoNightshade family4 years
White cabbageCabbage family4 years
Zucchini (courgette)Squash family4 years
medium feeder · 13
BeetrootBeet and spinach family3 years
Black salsifyDaisy family3 years
Butterhead lettuceDaisy family3 years
CarrotCarrot family4 years
Chinese cabbageCabbage family4 years
EndiveDaisy family3 years
Iceberg lettuceDaisy family3 years
KohlrabiCabbage family4 years
OnionOnion family4 years
Pak choiCabbage family4 years
ParsnipCarrot family4 years
RadicchioDaisy family3 years
Swiss chardBeet and spinach family3 years
light feeder · 20
BasilMint family3 years
Bush beanLegume family3 years
ChervilCarrot family4 years
ChivesOnion familyperennial
Coriander (cilantro)Carrot family4 years
DillCarrot family4 years
Lamb’s lettuce (corn salad)Valerian family3 years
Lemon balmMint familyperennial
MintMint familyperennial
OreganoMint familyperennial
ParsleyCarrot family4 years
PeaLegume family6 years
Pole beanLegume family3 years
RadishCabbage family4 years
Rocket (arugula)Cabbage family4 years
RosemaryMint familyperennial
SageMint familyperennial
SpinachBeet and spinach family3 years
Summer savoryMint family3 years
ThymeMint familyperennial
not sourced · 34
AsparagusAsparagus familyperennial
BorageBorage family3 years
Broad bean (fava bean)Legume family3 years
BuckwheatKnotweed family3 years
Cape gooseberryNightshade family4 years
Chilli pepperNightshade family4 years
French marigold (tagetes)Daisy family3 years
Garden cressCabbage family4 years
GarlicOnion family4 years
Globe artichokeDaisy familyperennial
Hamburg parsleyCarrot family4 years
HorseradishCabbage familyperennial
Jerusalem artichokeDaisy familyperennial
LavenderMint familyperennial
Loose-leaf lettuceDaisy family3 years
MelonSquash family4 years
NasturtiumNasturtium family3 years
Oilseed radishCabbage family4 years
PhaceliaWaterleaf family3 years
Pot marigold (calendula)Daisy family3 years
RhubarbKnotweed familyperennial
Runner beanLegume family3 years
ShallotOnion family4 years
Spring onion (scallion)Onion family4 years
StrawberryRose familyperennial
Sugar snap and snow peaLegume family6 years
SunflowerDaisy family3 years
Swede (rutabaga)Cabbage family4 years
Sweet alyssumCabbage family4 years
Sweet potatoMorning glory family3 years
SweetcornGrass family3 years
TurnipCabbage family4 years
White mustardCabbage family4 years
Winter radish (daikon)Cabbage family4 years

Questions and answers

Which vegetables are heavy feeders?

According to our sources: Aubergine (eggplant), Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Cucumber, Florence fennel, Kale, Leek, Potato, Pumpkin and winter squash, Red cabbage, Savoy cabbage, Sweet pepper, Tomato, White cabbage and Zucchini (courgette).

Which plants are light feeders?

According to our sources: Basil, Bush bean, Chervil, Chives, Coriander (cilantro), Dill, Lamb’s lettuce (corn salad), Lemon balm, Mint, Oregano, Parsley, Pea, Pole bean, Radish, Rocket (arugula), Rosemary, Sage, Spinach, Summer savory and Thyme.

How long a break do potatoes need?

4 years. That long, the nightshade family should stay out of the same bed.

Can I plant heavy feeders in the same bed two years running?

Heavy feeders two years in a row on the same bed are not a mistake, but they take more out of the soil.

Sources

Show 2 sources
  1. Südtiroler Bauernbund: Merkblatt Fruchtfolgen im Gemüsebau (Oktober 2022)
  2. Landwirtschaftskammer Schleswig-Holstein: Fruchtfolge im Garten (Gartenmerkblatt, 2020)

All tools