What Does Interplanting Mean?
Interplanting, also known as intercropping, is the act of growing one type of crop alongside another type of crop. This practice allows a grower to double up on all available space. It is also believed that the practice of interplanting creates biodiversity by encouraging a variety of predatory and beneficial insects that are attracted to the various types of crops.
Interplanting is very popular in regions where space is limited. The method enables a farmer to produce a far greater harvest on a smaller plot of land.
Interplanting is sometimes referred to as companion planting.
Maximum Yield Explains Interplanting
A prime example of interplanting involves planting corn in rows and next to the corn rows planting a vine crop. The vine crop will actually use the tall stalks of the corn for support so both crops benefit from being planted together in close proximity.
Beans are also a common plant used to intercrop because the bean plant produces ample nitrogen which the other plant variety utilizes for stronger growth.
There are numerous distinct methods of interplanting. One utilizes all available space by planting a row of one type of a plant and a row of another type of plant.
Another form of interplanting consists of just planting a wide variety of companion plant types in one large area. The plants are mixed together with no discernible plan.
The last form of interplanting involves planting a fast growing crop alongside a slow-growing crop.
Another interplanting practice is to pick a crop that grows quickly and when it is about ready to be harvested another type of plant is immediately planted alongside it. This is a form of accelerated crop rotation. As the first crop matures and is harvested, it makes room for the other plants to form and develop.
