Inter-Cropping, Under Cropping, Catch Cropping and the No Dig Method
2010-11-16 at 01:20 pm pshipley
Inter Cropping
Briefly this is the method of mixing slow growing vegetables such as turnips with a fast growing crop such as lettuce or radish. This enables you to grow two crops in the same space that you would normally only grow one. This increases the amount you can grow per square foot of space. This is an ideal way to grow salad crops.
Under Cropping
Similar to inter cropping but involves growing crops like lettuce under a crop, for example of sweetcorn. The leaf of the taller crop is not dense enough to prevent a crop from being grown underneath.
Catch Cropping
This is where a quick growing crop is raised in between the harvesting and planting of another. Ideal crops for this are spring onions, turnips, radishes and some lettuces.
No Dig System
The problem with digging soil is it brings weed seeds to the surface where they begin to flourish and grow. Digging also aerates the soil speeding up the breakdown of organic matter. Organic gardeners prefer the no dig system, as it retains soil structure and reduces loss of nutrients. The addition of organic matter is made by top dressing, which mulches the area, suppresses weeds, and maintains nutrient levels.
The area is prepared by an initial clearance of weeds usually by the use of sheet mulches to prevent light reaching the surface and therefore eradicating the weeds.