🌱 Orcas Island Permaculture Garden 🌱

Complete 8-Year Crop Rotation Planning System

30 Raised Beds • Zone 8a/8b • Year-Round Production

Welcome to Your Garden Planning Hub

This comprehensive system provides everything you need to successfully manage a 30-bed permaculture vegetable garden on Orcas Island, Washington. The 8-year rotation prevents disease, optimizes soil fertility, and maximizes year-round production.

30
Raised Beds
4' × 8' each
960
Total Square Feet
Production Area
8
Year Rotation
Cycle
800-1,250
lbs/year Production
Feeds 3-5 People

📋 Master Rotation Overview

Start here to understand the complete 8-year rotation system, see the full rotation matrix, and learn the core principles.

START HERE

Master Rotation Guide

Complete 8-year rotation matrix showing all bed groups across all years. Includes crop family details, rotation benefits, production estimates, and system overview.

View Master Guide →

🎯 How the Rotation Works

Each bed group rotates through 8 crop families over 8 years. This creates a 5-7 year gap before the same family returns to a bed, preventing disease buildup. Nitrogen-fixing legumes (peas, beans) strategically precede heavy feeders (tomatoes, peppers) to optimize soil fertility.

📅 Annual Planning by Year

Year-by-year overviews showing what's planted across the entire garden. Perfect for overall planning and understanding yearly progression.

Year 1

Year 1 Annual Planner

Baseline configuration showing all 30 beds, rotation assignments, monthly schedules, and getting started guidance. Start small (10 beds) or go all in.

View Year 1 →
Year 2

Year 2 Annual Planner

Shows rotation progression with all families shifting forward. See how nitrogen from Year 1 legumes benefits Year 2 tomatoes. Expansion guidance included.

View Year 2 →
Year 8

Year 8 Annual Planner

Cycle completion! After Year 8, rotation returns to Year 1 configuration. Your garden is now a mature, self-sustaining permaculture system.

View Year 8 →

💡 Each annual planner fits on one A4 landscape page and includes quick reference tables for yields, succession timing, and critical tasks.

🛠️ Worker-Focused Bed Group Plans

These are your field-ready guides! Each plan shows the complete 8-year rotation for one bed group with detailed month-by-month tasks. Assign one plan per worker/team for complete autonomy.

📖 Color Legend

Alliaceae
Garlic, Onions, Leeks
Apiaceae
Carrots, Celery, Parsnips
Chenopodiaceae
Beets, Chard, Spinach
Cucurbitaceae
Squash, Cucumbers
Fabaceae
Peas, Beans (N-fixers!)
Solanaceae
Tomatoes, Peppers
Asteraceae
Lettuce, Salad Mix
Brassicaceae
Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage

Choose Your Bed Group:

Each bed group starts with a different crop family but follows the same rotation sequence. Click to see full 8-year detailed plan.

Beds 1-4
4 beds • 128 sq ft
Year 1: Garlic & Onions
View Plan →
Beds 5-8
4 beds • 128 sq ft
Year 1: Carrots & Celery
View Plan →
Beds 9-11
3 beds • 96 sq ft
Year 1: Beets & Chard
View Plan →
Beds 12-14
3 beds • 96 sq ft
Year 1: Cucumbers & Squash
View Plan →
Beds 15-18
4 beds • 128 sq ft
Year 1: Peas & Beans
View Plan →
Beds 19-22
4 beds • 128 sq ft
Year 1: Tomatoes & Peppers
View Plan →
Beds 23-25
3 beds • 96 sq ft
Year 1: Lettuce & Salad
View Plan →
Beds 26-30
5 beds • 160 sq ft
Year 1: Kale & Broccoli
View Plan →

🖨️ How to Use Bed Group Plans

For Field Workers: Print your assigned bed group plan (A4 landscape), laminate it, and keep it on a clipboard at your beds. Each plan shows all 8 rotation phases with detailed month-by-month tasks - no cross-referencing needed!

For Team Leaders: Assign bed groups to workers. Each person has complete autonomy with their plan. Easy to onboard new workers - just hand them one plan.

🚀 Quick Start Guide

1️⃣ New to the Garden?

Start with the Master Rotation Guide to understand the system, then check Year 1 Annual Planner to see what's planted where.

2️⃣ Planning Next Year?

Check your current year's annual planner to see the big picture, then reference individual bed group plans for detailed tasks.

3️⃣ Working in the Field?

Grab your assigned Bed Group Plan. Print it, laminate it, and follow the chronological tasks for your current rotation phase.

📍 Key Principles to Remember: