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Pesticides… how to do without them? (10/10)

10 techniques to put in place in your garden to limit chemical inputs and why not, do without! Crop rotation:2 years of vacation!

Crop rotation

Every farmer knows that the same plant cannot be grown two years in a row in the same place. For two main reasons. The first reason is that a plant species depletes the floor of some elements. Consequently, the following year, the same culture put in place runs a risk of deficiency (lack of one or more nutrients).

The second reason is sanitary; if the crop in year 1 has developed a parasite, in year 2 the same parasite will be much more developed and therefore more violent.

It is therefore recommended to follow plants from different botanical families and plants whose harvested organs are different (leaf vegetable, stem, flower, fruit, seed, root)

I agree, it's not that simple. The best thing is to make a plan of your vegetable garden as you grow crops. the rotation takes place at least every other year. In other words, a plant returns to the same place every other year. But there are exceptions

Four to five year rotation:

  • garlic, onion, shallot
  • cabbage, turnip, radish
  • tomato if presence of bacterial infestation
  • potato

Strawberry and asparagus, two great travellers:

Strawberries and asparagus will not return to the same place for 7 to 8 years! So, plan some space…

An example of crop rotation

Square No. 1

  • 2018:tomatoes, green beans
  • 2019:salads, cabbage
  • Year 2020:potatoes
  • Year 2021:peas, zucchini

Square n°2

  • 2018:cabbage, tomatoes
  • 2019:carrots, peas
  • Year 2020:lettuces, leeks
  • Year 2021:potatoes

1. the plant adapted to its environment

2. Biodiversity

3. soil fertility

4. Irrigation management

5. mulching

6. Managing invasive plants

7. the right gestures at the right times

8. The right tool, adapted, maintained

9. Companion plants

10. Crop rotation:2 years of vacation!

Conclusion

Pesticides… how to do without them? (10/10)