06/03/2026
Think of a farm, picture it in your mind. Did you think of endless rows of a single crop, maybe corn or peas? Now many commercial farms use this method in large scale, however it requires more water, more fertilizer and more pesticides.
Here at Maeve Farms I grow organically. The health of our plants starts with the health of our soil. One way I work to keep the soil healthy is to use intercropping. A method where multiple crops are planted together to mutually benefit their neighbors.
Here in this bed I have planted potatoes, onion and lettuce. There was cabbage as well but it has been harvested. The potatoes grow deep, keeping the soil loose eliminating the need to til the soil which destroys the life in the soil (meaning less fertilizer is needed). The potato leaves grow tall which shades the lettuce as it grows, helping to delay bolting. The onion scent helps to deter pests that would otherwise feast on the potatoes and lettuce. Less water is needed, no pesticides are needed due to the onion and row cover combo.
This is the future of sustainable farming, growing efficiently with less water, less fertilizer and less pesticides (or no pesticides in a perfect world).
The more you know. ❤️
