Companion Cropping

the planting of a crop between rows of another crop. Companion cropping permits more productive use of land and increased produce yields. It is most common in the cultivation of vegetables, for example, the planting of cauliflower between rows of late tomatoes and of cucumbers between rows of late cabbage. It is used to provide sheltered ground, for example, lettuce, scallions, radishes, and dill may be planted between rows of cucumbers, and tomato seedlings may be grown between tomato plants. When companion cropping is employed, greater quantities of water and fertilizer are used.