Vegetable Bed Rotation Program

To understand the reason for the H.G.P. bed rotation program it is important for us to pass on some information about the families of vegetables you will be growing.

The essence of the rotation program is based on the impact that each of these families has on the soil.

Rotation also aids in reducing the build-up of pests.

Vegetable Family Groups

Legumes

(Peas, Beans, and Broad beans)

These veggies are classified as "nitrogen fixers". Their roots actually add nitrogen to the soil.

Leafy

(Lettuce, Spinach, Silverbeet, Bok Choy, Amaranth, Arugula) (Mizuna, Red Giant Mustard)

Love nitrogen rich soil. This family will benefit from soil that has previously grown Legumes.

Brassicas

(Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Brussel Sprouts)

 Love a nitrogen rich soil. This family will benefit from soil that has previously grown Legumes.

 Fennel and Cucumber like the same soil as Brassicas.

Root

(Carrots, Beetroot, Radish, Parsnip, Turnips, Swede)

This family does not require a rich soil and benefits from being grown in soil that has been depleted of some of its nitrogen.

Onions like the same soil as the Root family.

 Note: All vegetables benefit from a rich healthy soil and additions of organic liquid fertiliser and compost will help keep the soil rich and fertile. For information on liquid fertiliser and compost, please see the page titled "Composting with Aerobin".

Year level / Family Group List

With this information in mind you can now understand why each Year level will be rotating through the seven beds. As students progress through each year level they will experience growing ALL family groups.

PREP ~ LEGUMES

GRADE ONE ~ LEGUMES

GRADE TWO ~ LEAFY

GRADE THREE ~ BRASSICA

GRADE FOUR ~ BRASSICA / LEAFY

GRADE FIVE ~ ROOT

GRADE SIX ~ ROOT

Rotation Program

The chart below explains how your year level will rotate through the beds.

Upon completion of the 18 month Home Grown Project, we recommend that your school continues to use this rotation program and the family groups assigned to each year level, however, you may wish to grow different varieties of vegetables within each family group.