Small-scale organic farming has been a huge movement against monocropping. As part of small-scale organic farming I’ve definitely heard the term ‘intercropping’ used. Intercropping involves planting multiple crops together in the same bed. Now, I have a new, related term to incorporate into my food vocabulary: ‘companion planting.’ I’m sure this isn’t excluded to biodynamics, but I’m learning about it now and it’s also a very common thing in biodynamics from my understanding so I’m going to talk about it.
Intercropping’s goal is to save space in the garden, while companion planting is the idea that you should be planting crops together that will aid the other to grow to its best ability. Federico has a few different companion plantings taking place such as zucchini and onions, the onions help ward of insects that like to bite the young zucchini plant. Also, peas planted with carrots, lettuce and radishes, tomatoes and onions, and so on. If you’re interested in more ideas about companion planting I suggested reading the book Culture and Horticulture: The Classic Guide to Biodynamic and Organic Gardening by Wolf D. Strol, he provides a great list of different crops to plant together. Strol also writes that plants that engage in this symbiotic relationship are often one that are often eaten together, but this is not a hard and fast rule, so do a little research before planting your favorite recipe ingredients next to one another hoping that they will be best friends.