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Intercropping Calculator — Grow Two Crops Together
Calculate spacing and plant counts for growing two crops in the same bed.
Length of the bed measured along the direction the rows run.
Width across the bed — rows are laid out across this dimension.
The slower, taller crop set out at full spacing — it occupies the bed for the whole season.
A fast crop sown in the gaps and cropped before the main crop closes over and shades it out.
Multiplier for all crop spacing (default 1.0)
How We Calculate This
Main crop rows are planted at standard spacing. Intercrop rows fill the gaps between main crop rows.
Inter-rows = Main rows − 1. Intercrop plants are spaced at their own recommended distance within inter-rows.
Plant counts are derived by fitting a grid into the bed (plants per row = bed length ÷ spacing + 1, rows = bed width ÷ spacing + 1), placing a plant at both edges of the bed. If you prefer to leave a half-spacing margin at each end, expect roughly one fewer plant per row and per column.
This maximises bed productivity by using space that would otherwise be empty during early growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Growing two or more crops together in the same space. Fast-growing crops are planted between slow-growing ones, making maximum use of garden space.
Cabbage + lettuce, sweetcorn + beans, tomato + basil, brassicas + radish. The key is pairing slow and fast-maturing crops.
The main crop may yield slightly less per plant, but total yield per square metre is higher because the intercrop is harvested before it competes significantly.
Plant the intercrop at the same time as the main crop. It should be harvested before the main crop needs all the space.
Intercropping grows two crops simultaneously for yield (e.g., fast radishes between slow cabbages). Companion planting focuses on pest deterrence and mutual benefit.
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Last updated: February 2026
All calculations are estimates based on standard gardening guidelines. Results may vary with soil conditions, climate, and plant varieties.