How do I check a market garden’s crop rotation plan and field records?

Start with the plan, then ask for the record of what was really planted. The two rarely match exactly, and the differences teach you something. Ask why a bed was changed, which crops did badly after others, and how the seller handles problem fields. A plan that lives only in the seller’s head is a risk for you, so ask how it could be written out.

Next, look at the fields. Walk the beds with the plan in hand. Check for weeds, uneven growth, signs of tired soil and areas that look different from their neighbours. Ask what each section produced and how that compares with the seller’s expectations. Field maps, bed numbers and dated notes make this far easier.

Finally, think about how you would use the plan. A rotation sets what you can sell next season, so ask how the seller matched crops to customers. Your accountant can help you read the projections, and a simple cash-flow plan will show you how a change in the crop mix flows through your money. Ask also which fields have been used for the same crop family most often, and whether the seller sees any effect on yield.

Key takeaways

• Compare the written rotation plan with the record of what was planted.
• Walk the beds with the plan and look for tired or uneven ground.
• Ask how the seller matched crops to customers before you change the mix.