Crop rotation is very essential in strawberry growing. After plants have
fruited two years, they should be plowed under and the ground planted to
some other crop. This may be done as soon as they have finished their
second crop.
Cantaloupes make an ideal crop for rotation because they do not draw
heavily upon the fertility of the soil and their viny nature keeps the
soil mellow. Two years in strawberries, one year in cantaloupes then
back to strawberries, with a legume crop to rest and replenish the soil
once every five years, fertilizing each year, makes the very best
program of rotation for the strawberry grower.
Any of the legumes--clover, cow-peas, soy beans, velvet beans, vetch or
alfalfa, are ideal crops for rotation because they add great quantities
of humus and nitrogen to the soil. Vegetables or farm crops also may be
used to advantage as rotation crops.