How Do I Choose Crops For Succession Planting?

“I’m fairly new to backyard farming and have been growing a few vegetables for our family in Brooklyn, New York, USA. This year, I heard about succession planting and thought it might be a great way to maximize our harvest. Can you please explain how I can choose the best crops for succession planting in my backyard farm?” Many thanks, Emily, Brooklyn, New York, USA.

How Do I Choose Crops For Succession Planting?

Succession planting is a smart and productive way to make the most out of your backyard farming efforts, increasing the yield and variety of your crops throughout the growing season. Let’s walk through some important steps and considerations to help you select the best crops for succession planting.

Understanding Succession Planting

Succession planting involves planting crops in a sequence to ensure a continuous harvest over a longer period. The goal is to have fresh produce ready to pick from early spring through the fall and even into winter with the right conditions. There are several methods for succession planting:

• Staggered Planting: Plant the same crop at two or more different times, spread out evenly during the growing season.
• Different Crops Succession: Plant different crops one after the other in the same space.
• Interplanting: Plant fast-growing crops alongside slower-growing crops.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Crops

Climate and Growing Season

Understanding your local climate and the length of your growing season is critical. For instance, in Brooklyn, the growing season generally runs from April to October. Knowing this allows you to plan which crops will thrive at various times.

Crop Compatibility

Select crops that work well together. Some vegetables are better suited to be planted next to each other due to their growth habits or the nutrients they require:

• Complementary Growth Patterns: For example, planting carrots (root crop) with lettuce (leafy greens) ensures that they don’t compete for the same space.
• Nutrient Requirements: Ensure that successive crops don’t deplete the soil of similar nutrients. For example, avoid planting nitrogen-loving crops like tomatoes back-to-back.

Plant Growth Rates

Pay attention to how quickly each crop matures. Quick-growing plants like radishes can mature in as little as 30 days, whereas slower-growing plants like carrots can take up to 70 days. This allows for strategic planning.

Choosing Crops for Different Seasons

Spring Crops

As temperatures begin to rise, start with cool-weather crops like:

• Radishes: Radishes are among the fastest-growing vegetables and can be ready to harvest in just about 30 days.
• Lettuce and Spinach: These leafy greens can handle a bit of chill and are ready to harvest in about 40 to 50 days.
• Peas: Both garden peas and snap peas thrive in the cool weather of early spring.

Summer Crops

As temperatures warm up, begin planting heat-loving crops:

• Tomatoes: These are a staple in most gardens and thrive in the heat of summer. Use bush varieties for succession planting.
• Squash and Zucchini: These grow quickly and can be planted in batches for continuous harvest.
• Beans: Both bush and pole beans are excellent choices for summer planting.

Fall and Winter Crops

As summer wanes, plant cool-weather crops once more:

• Kale and Collards: These leafy greens can withstand cooler temperatures and even light frost.
• Brussels Sprouts: These are great for planting in late summer to early fall for a late fall harvest.
• Root Vegetables: Carrots, beets, and turnips can handle colder weather and can be harvested well into winter with proper mulching.

Creating a Planting Calendar

Making a planting calendar helps you keep track of what needs to be planted when:

1. List All Desired Crops: Make a list of all the vegetables you want to grow.
2. Determine Planting and Harvest Dates: Identify the optimal planting and expected harvest dates for each crop based on your growing zone.
3. Plan Successions: Decide which crops will follow each other in your garden beds. For example, after an early harvest of radishes, you can plant bush beans in the same spot.
4. Note Crop Rotation: Rotate crops to prevent soil depletion and reduce pest issues. Never plant the same family of crops in the same spot two years in a row.

Practical Tips for Success

Preparation and Soil Health

Healthy soil is the foundation of a productive garden:

• Soil Testing: Test the soil pH and nutrient levels to know what amendments are needed for optimal growth.
• Amend Soil Accordingly: Add compost and organic matter to enrich the soil. Emily, in your case, Brooklyn soil can sometimes be heavy clay, so adding organic compost can improve texture and drainage.

Managing Garden Space

Make the most of your backyard space through strategic planning:

• Raised Beds and Containers: These can be handy in urban areas like your backyard in Brooklyn. They help in managing soil quality better and make succession planting easier.
• Vertical Gardening: Utilize vertical spaces for crops like beans and peas to maximize planting area.

Effective Crop Rotation

Rotating crops is crucial in preventing pest and disease buildup and maintaining soil fertility:

• Rotation Groups: Divide crops into groups based on their family (e.g., Nightshades, Brassicas) and rotate them annually.
• Cover Crops: Plant cover crops like clover or vetch during off-seasons to add nutrients back to the soil and prevent erosion.

Monitoring and Maintenance

Regular monitoring and maintenance keep your succession planting on track:

• Consistent Watering: Ensure that crops are consistently watered, especially during the transition periods between successions.
• Pest and Disease Control: Check for pests and diseases regularly. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a great approach.
• Regular Harvesting: Keep harvesting mature crops timely to make room for new plantings.

Examples to Get You Started

Example 1: Spring to Summer to Fall

Start with fast-growing spring crops and transition to summer heat-lovers before finishing up with cool-weather fall crops. Here’s one example:

1. Early Spring: Plant radishes and spinach in March.
2. Late Spring: Harvest radishes and spinach, and plant bush beans and summer squash in their place.
3. Late Summer: As the beans and squash wind down, plant kale and carrots for a fall harvest.

Example 2: Staggered Planting

Aim for continuous harvest of the same vegetable:

1. Planting One: Plant lettuce in early April.
2. Planting Two: Plant another batch of lettuce three weeks later.
3. Planting Three: Plant the final batch of lettuce in late May.

This ensures a fresh supply of lettuce through early summer.

Additional Considerations

Local Resources and Knowledge

Utilize local resources like agricultural extension services, gardening clubs, and online communities for region-specific advice. For someone in Brooklyn, community gardens can be a valuable resource for tips and seeds suited to urban environments.

Journaling and Record-Keeping

Keep a garden journal to note planting dates, harvesting times, and any issues. This can help refine your plans year over year.

By keeping track of what works well in your backyard, you’ll be able to adjust your choices for future seasons and improve your yield each year.

Final Thoughts…

Thanks, Emily, for sending in your question. Remember that choosing the right crops for succession planting involves understanding your local growing conditions, planning strategically, and maintaining soil health. Experiment with different combinations and keep refining your approach each season.

Keep learning and enjoying the process, and you’ll be rewarded with a bountiful backyard harvest!