Bed MemoryThe cucurbit family in the vegetable garden
The cucurbits are the squash family: cucumber, zucchini, summer squash, winter squash, pumpkin, melon, watermelon and gourds.
For crop rotation they are one group. A bed that grew zucchini last year should not get cucumbers or melons this year. Check a bed below.
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Rotating cucurbits
Cucurbits share several pests and diseases, so rotation guides move the whole family together. Gardeners often trip on melons and pumpkins: they look different from cucumbers, but they are the same family.
A worked example
In 2025 your sunny bed grew pumpkins and the long bed grew garlic. In 2026 you want cucumbers. The sunny bed had a cucurbit last year, so cucumbers go in the long bed. Pumpkins can come back to the sunny bed in 2028.
Questions gardeners ask next
Is a cucumber a squash?
Not the same plant, but the same family. Cucumbers, squash, melons and pumpkins are all cucurbits and rotate together.
Can I plant cucumbers where squash grew last year?
Rotation guides advise against it, since they share pests and diseases. Pick a bed that had no cucurbit for the last 2 years.
What should follow cucurbits?
Any other family. Many gardeners follow them with legumes such as peas or beans, or with onions and garlic.