Crop rotation rules that should not be ignored: what to plant after pepper next year
It can be difficult for beginning farmers to correctly plan the order of planting crops at their summer cottage. But knowing the basic rules of crop rotation, this is easy to fix. Our article will talk about how to improve the quality and quantity of the harvest, how important the compatibility of plants is and how to wisely select them to replace each other.
Crop rotation rules and the role of crop rotation
Experienced gardeners should not plant the same plant in a strictly defined place for it. The earth, like any living organism, needs rest.
Compliance with the rules of crop rotation (alternation of crops) leads to a high-quality and abundant harvest even in a small summer cottage. Therefore, you should not ignore them, but, on the contrary, make it a rule to never deviate from them.
Proper rotation of crops in the garden is necessary for a beneficial effect on the structure of the soil and its composition. On average, the interval for planting one plant in a certain place is 2-3 years. But for some vegetables the land requires more rest time: for cabbage - 7 years, for carrots, cucumbers and parsley - 4-5 years.
Do not forget that some plants not only do not deplete the soil, but, on the contrary, enrich it with useful substances.
After which to plant sweet peppers and what to plant after them
Crop rotation rules do not recommend planting bell peppers after:
- physalis;
- potatoes;
- eggplant;
- tomatoes;
- tobacco
What crops can be planted after:
After them, the soil is loose and well fertilized, and the bell pepper will not only take root, but will also delight you with its harvest. Also good predecessors are onions and garlic.
Important! It is strictly not recommended to plant peppers where tomatoes previously grew and vice versa. This is due to the fact that they belong to the nightshade family, and therefore are affected by the same pests and suffer from the same diseases.
What crops can be planted nearby?
Since this vegetable depletes the soil, it is demanding when changing plantings. It is no less demanding of neighboring plants. In general, he can be called capricious, which is why the neighbors next to him are reluctant to settle down.
The ideal neighbor for him is a bush beans, and peas And beans. Thanks to the specific smell of legumes, peppers are protected from pests. In addition, there is no need to compete for nutrients in the soil. Legumes feed the soil with nitrogen, which helps peppers grow.
After which to plant hot peppers and what to plant after it
In its demands on the soil and neighboring crops, bitter pepper is in no way inferior to sweet pepper. He can also confidently be called capricious. But due to the high content of vitamin C in it and the rainbow colors (green, red, orange) with which the garden bed is replete when it ripens, gardeners willingly forgive all the whims of pepper and affectionately call it a “healthy pet.”
The best neighbors for hot pepper are various herbs: chamomile, mint, coltsfoot, nettle, spinach, lettuce. Basil, dill, thyme, and cilantro also grow very well nearby.The most important thing is to make sure that there is many times more pepper than herbs, otherwise the herbs will begin to take nutrients from the roots of the pepper and create unnecessary shadow.
Growing in a greenhouse
As for growing capricious vegetables in a greenhouse, the rules of crop rotation here are the same as in open ground. However, due to the small area, planting the nightshade family in a greenhouse is repeated, having previously fed the soil with a complex of fertilizers and treated it with insecticides and pesticides against pests and diseases. But nevertheless, do not forget that pepper greatly depletes the soil.
What to plant after pepper next year
It is precisely because of the depletion of the soil after pepper that it is not recommended to plant strawberries next year. Moreover, she will “sit” in that same place for at least four years.
Strawberries consume a lot of nutrients necessary for growth and development, and in unfavorable conditions, their berries will not be able to gain juiciness and color and will be sour and inconspicuous.
But root vegetables and grains will take root well in the land where pepper grew a year earlier.
Important! You should not make sweet and hot peppers your neighbors. When pollinated by hot peppers, sweet peppers will acquire a bitter taste.
Tips and tricks
What should you pay attention to when growing crops?
These tips and tricks will help save time and effort:
- Pepper is a heat-loving crop; it should not be planted in cold soil (below 14ºС).
- It is better to water it at the root.
- Use organic fertilizers as top dressing.
- The permissible temperature in the greenhouse is not less than 21ºС and not more than 27ºС.
- The distance between bushes when planting is 0.5-0.7 meters.
- The vegetable bush needs a garter so as not to break from its own weight.
- Fruits harvested in time free the plant from overload.
Conclusion
Let us add that in growing pepper, compliance with the rules of crop rotation is of great importance. Unlike many crops, this vegetable requires loose soil, rich in nutrients and treated with insecticides.
Its incompatibility with many cultures indicates the need to carefully choose neighbors. Also, do not forget about the features of care during growth and development. But if you do not ignore the above laws of crop rotation, your summer cottage will reward you for your patience and work.