Botanical family
Cucurbitaceae
3 plants
The cucurbit family. Zucchini, cucumber, pumpkin, melons — all summer heavyweights. Thirsty, heat-loving, space-hungry. In a raised bed usually as a trellis variant (cucumber up, zucchini horizontal over the edge).
Crop rotation
Cucurbits (zucchini, cucumber, pumpkin) are heavy feeders and leave depleted soil often contaminated with mildew spores. Follow with: 1 year legumes or green manure, then other heavy feeders.
Nutrient distribution
How many plants in this family are how hungry for nutrients. Raised-bed soil exhausts quickly after heavy feeders — follow with nitrogen-fixers.
- Heavy feeders3
