Succession Planting

When you practice succession planting, you can get more from your garden. As the name implies, succession planting involves planting one crop as another nears the end of production. This guide covers succession planting, its benefits, and tips for successful implementation. 

Succession planting involves continuously planting crops in a sequence to ensure that as one crop is harvested, another is ready to take its place. A great example of this technique is to start lettuce seedlings in trays every three weeks. Even with cutting and coming again, harvesting lettuce once mature lasts me about three weeks. 

Another reason is that I plant the lettuce in full sun in early spring. As the days get hotter, lettuce tends to bolt quickly. To combat this, I plat later batches in the shade of other plants like tomatoes or cucumbers growing up trellises.

 

Basics of Succession Planting

  • Staggered Planting: Planting the same crop at different times to spread out the harvest. For example, planting lettuce seeds every two weeks ensures a continuous supply of fresh lettuce.
  • Sequential Planting involves planting different crops in the same space throughout the season. I often plant show peas in early spring, positioned to grow up the trellis that will later be used for cucumbers. About six weeks later, I planted the cucumber seeds in the space between. The cucumbers will climb the trellis a few weeks later as the snowpeas finish production.
  • Interplanting: Growing quick-maturing crops alongside slower-growing ones. Radishes can be interplanted with carrots; radishes mature quickly and will be harvested before the carrots need the space.
  • Relay Planting: Planting a new crop immediately after harvesting another. For example, after harvesting early peas, a summer crop like cucumbers can be planted in the same spot.

 

Benefits of Succession Planting

  • Maximized Yield: By continuously using garden space, you can harvest more produce from the same area throughout the season.
  • Pest and Disease Management: Rotating crops and planting diverse species can help break the cycle of pests and diseases that target specific plants.
  • Improved Soil Health: Different crops have varying nutrient requirements and root structures, which can help maintain soil fertility and structure.
  • Extended Harvest Season: Succession planting allows you to get more from your garden by extending the harvest.
  • Efficient Use of Space: The combination of intercropping and succession planting will enable you to get more from the same space.

Planning for Succession Planting

  • Garden Layout: Plan your garden layout for easy access to all planting areas. Raised beds or defined rows can help manage space effectively.
  • Crop Selection: Choose crops with different maturity dates and growth habits. To extend the growing season, consider both cool-season and warm-season crops.
  • Timing: Know the average first and last frost dates in your area. Use this information to plan planting and harvesting dates.
  • Soil Preparation: Ensure your soil is well-prepared with adequate nutrients and proper drainage. Adding compost between plantings can replenish soil fertility.

Practical Tips for Succession Planting

  • Start Indoors: I like to start seeds indoors to get an early start on the season. Knowing when the last frost date is allows me to time my seedlings to start.
  • Use Transplants: Several weeks after my first crop is planted, I start new seedlings in trays because there is no room in the garden. The transplants should be ready to plant in a few weeks, just as the first crop finishes.
  • Companion Planting: Incorporate companion planting principles to enhance growth, deter pests, and improve soil health. For example, planting basil with tomatoes can improve flavor and repel pests.