Intercropping: The practice of growing two or more different crops in close proximity within the same field or garden bed.
Intercropping is like creating a diverse community in your garden, where different plants can benefit from each other’s presence. It involves strategically planting different crops together, such as growing tall corn alongside climbing beans or tucking lettuce between rows of slower-growing vegetables. This can maximize space utilization, improve soil health, and even deter pests.
For home gardeners, intercropping can be a fun and productive way to experiment with different plant combinations. It can help increase the overall yield of your garden, as different crops can occupy different layers of space and access different nutrients.4 Some plants can also provide shade or support for others, while others may attract beneficial insects that help control pests. Intercropping can be more complex than traditional monoculture (growing only one type of plant), but it can lead to a more diverse and resilient garden ecosystem.
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