Vegetable plant families
Which plants belong to one family and how many years the family needs before it goes back into the same bed.
| Family | Rotation break | Plants |
|---|---|---|
| Cabbage familyBrassicaceae | 4 full years (sources: 4–5)Landwirtschaftskammer Schleswig-Holstein, Südtiroler Bauernbund |
If clubroot has appeared in the bed: no plants of the cabbage family for at least 7 years, not even mustard as green manure. |
| Legume familyFabaceae | 3 full years (sources: 3–4)Südtiroler Bauernbund | Peas: a 6-year break because of fusarium wilt (sources: 5–7 years). |
| Carrot familyApiaceae | 4 full years (sources: 4–5)Südtiroler Bauernbund | |
| Daisy familyAsteraceae | 3 full yearsSüdtiroler Bauernbund | |
| Beet and spinach familyAmaranthaceae | 3 full years (sources: 3–4)Südtiroler Bauernbund | |
| Onion familyAmaryllidaceae | 4 full yearsSüdtiroler Bauernbund | |
| Squash familyCucurbitaceae | 4 full years (sources: 4–5)Südtiroler Bauernbund | |
| Nightshade familySolanaceae | 4 full yearsSüdtiroler Bauernbund | |
| Mint familyLamiaceae | none of its own; same species 3 years | |
| Grass familyPoaceae | none of its own; same species 3 years | |
| Valerian familyCaprifoliaceae | none of its own; same species 3 years | |
| Knotweed familyPolygonaceae | none of its own; same species 3 years | |
| Rose familyRosaceae | none of its own; same species 3 years | |
| Borage familyBoraginaceae | none of its own; same species 3 years | |
| Waterleaf familyHydrophyllaceae | none of its own; same species 3 years | |
| Nasturtium familyTropaeolaceae | none of its own; same species 3 years | |
| Asparagus familyAsparagaceae | none of its own; same species 3 years | |
| Morning glory familyConvolvulaceae | none of its own; same species 3 years |
Families from GBIF
Crop rotation chart: heavy, medium and light feedersQuestions and answers
How many plant families are there in a vegetable garden?
Our 85 vegetables, herbs and flowers belong to 18 families (from GBIF). For 8 of them, our sources give a rotation break of their own.
Which vegetables are in the cabbage family?
On our list: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, garden cress, horseradish, kale, kohlrabi, oilseed radish, pak choi, radish, red cabbage, rocket (arugula), savoy cabbage, swede (rutabaga), sweet alyssum, turnip, white cabbage, white mustard and winter radish (daikon).
Which vegetables are in the nightshade family?
On our list: aubergine (eggplant), Cape gooseberry, chilli pepper, potato, sweet pepper and tomato.
Which families need the longest break?
Cabbage family, carrot family, onion family, squash family and nightshade family: 4 full years each. Peas need 6 years because of fusarium wilt.
How does the family count in crop rotation?
The break applies to the whole family: after tomatoes, potatoes and peppers wait too. For families without a break of their own, only the break for the same species applies, 3 years.
Sources
All tools
- Last frost dateAverage and safe date for German postcodes
- Planting calendarStart indoors, sow, plant out: dates for your area
- Seed starting calculatorWhen to start seeds: dates for your area
- Companion planting checkerGood neighbours with evidence, honestly labelled
- What can I still sow?Second crops: what still works after harvest
- Plant spacing calculatorHow many plants fit in your bed
- Raised bed soil calculatorLitres and bags for your raised bed
- Container plants: when inside?Date per plant for German postcodes
- Hardiness zone by postcodeHow cold it gets where you are, and what copes
- Rain barrel calculatorLitres of rain from your roof, month by month