Should I rotate my vegetables in raised beds even if I am taking out about half or more of the soil each year and adding new?
Question:
Should I rotate my vegetables in raised beds even if I am taking out about half or more of the soil each year and adding new?
Answer:
When possible, crop rotation is always a best practice recommendation to prevent the potential build up of pathogens, though the realities of home gardens mean light conditions or space considerations often limit where we can move plants around. Many people simply practice good garden hygiene (prompt removal of damaged or diseased material, good garden tidiness, fresh mulch each year, etc.) and avoid rotation until an issue actually crops up (so to speak). It’s essentially a judgment call for the gardener, based on your setup and whether you have any pest or pathogen issues.
I am surprised that you are replacing soil each year, as that isn’t necessary and may in fact be working against you. Good garden soil develops beneficial communities of microorganisms and supportive texture for your plants–it’s a small ecosystem in your raised bed that develops over time. I would advise instead to add an inch or so of compost each year, mulch the bed well, and leave it be. Replacing the soil hypothetically would bring in new nutrients, but it also brings in new weed seeds and potential pathogens, and unless you have a soil test indicating low soil nutrition you likely don’t need such a large turnover. Plus, it will be less expensive and labor intensive for you.
Happy gardening.