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Is it absolutely necessary to rotate Tomato plants to different raised beds every year? #632171

Asked May 06, 2020, 4:49 PM EDT

My husband and I LOVE home-grown tomatoes and really only want to grow tomatoes in the 3 raised beds in our back yard. So far, we've been successful planting tomatoes in 2 of the beds for the past 2 years. We always plant different varieties so there are not two plants of the same variety in the same bed. Each bed is 8' x 4', and we've had 6 plants to each bed, mostly small to medium sized tomatoes. I've spent the last few hours researching various sources online re: the necessity of crop rotation with tomatoes. About 25% of the sources say that this is not absolutely necessary as long as the soil is amended each year to provide nutrients that might have been leached in previous growing seasons. One source even said that tomatoes prefer to be planted in the same spot! What does Cooperative Extension say? While we also have 3 raised beds in our front yard next to the sidewalk, we'd prefer to keep the tomato plants in the backyard to prevent passers-by from helping themselves to our crops. If we don't absolutely have to rotate the tomato plants to the front-yard beds, what else (besides amending the soil) can we do to ensure a good healthy crop of tomatoes? Thank you so much for any advice you can give us!

Multnomah County Oregon

Expert Response

Thank you for your question. Members of the "nightshade" family need to be rotated to avoid pest (insect and disease) infestations, as well as to allow the soil to be restored with nutrients removed the past year. Here is an Extension article specifically on tomatoes (for a commercial crop, but same crops):  https://www2.ipm.ucanr.edu/agriculture/tomato/crop-rotation/

and here is a scientific article for the home gardener:  https://extension.wsu.edu/snohomish/gardenrotation/

There are a lot of sources on the Internet with advice.  We provide only advice that has been researched at one or more Agricultural Universities nationally.  The nutritional addition is probably the easiest soil condition to change (although getting an accurate soil pH and nutrient test gives you reliable information). (http://www.al-labs-west.com/about-us.php)   It is the soil diseases and insects that are not seen, and which it is more difficult to cure. Hope this is helpful.  Good luck!
An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 06, 2020, 5:25 PM EDT

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