Interplanting: maximize bed productivity
Interplanting is the practice of growing two or more crops in the same bed space simultaneously -- either at the same time (true interplanting) or in sequence such that one crop is in the ground before another is removed (succession interplanting). Per Cornell Cooperative Extension, interplanting.
Interplanting is the practice of growing two or more crops in the same bed space simultaneously — either at the same time (true interplanting) or in sequence such that one crop is in the ground before another is removed (succession interplanting). Per Cornell Cooperative Extension, interplanting can increase the total yield from a given area by 30—50% compared to single-crop growing, by using space, light, and time that would otherwise be idle.
The two types of interplanting
Spatial interplanting (simultaneous)
Two crops grown in the same space at the same time, where their different growth habits reduce direct competition:
- Different canopy levels: Tall crops with shade canopy over short shade-tolerant crops
- Different root depths: Shallow-rooted crops next to deep-rooted crops (minimal root competition)
- Different maturity times: One crop reaches peak demand before the other's peak
Per Penn State Extension, the classic example is corn, beans, and squash (the Three Sisters), where:
- Corn provides a climbing structure for beans
- Beans fix nitrogen from the air, reducing soil nitrogen depletion
- Squash sprawls across the ground, shading out weeds and retaining soil moisture
The feed-and-forget option
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Succession interplanting (temporal)
A new crop is planted in or near a space occupied by an existing crop that will be harvested soon, so the new crop begins establishing before the old one is removed:
- Example: Planting fall brassicas between rows of spring lettuce in July; by the time the lettuce bolts and is removed in August, the brassicas have established
- Example: Setting out tomato transplants through the canopy of cool-season spinach in May; when tomatoes shade out the spinach by June, the spinach is ready to harvest
Per Iowa State University Extension, succession interplanting is the most reliable approach for most home gardeners because competition is minimized — crops are not truly simultaneous at peak demand.