Which farming practice involves planting different types of crops in the same area?

Intercropping is the farming practice that involves planting different types of crops in the same area. This method takes advantage of the complementary growing habits of different plants, allowing them to utilize resources like sunlight, water, and nutrients more efficiently. By diversifying the crops, farmers can enhance biodiversity, reduce pest populations, and improve soil health. Additionally, intercropping can lead to higher overall yields compared to planting a single crop, which is the essence of monocropping.

Monocropping refers to planting the same crop in the same area year after year, limiting biodiversity and potentially increasing vulnerability to pests and diseases. Succession planting is a method where crops are planted sequentially at different times to ensure a continuous harvest but does not involve planting different types of crops in the same area at once. Cover cropping is a practice used to improve soil health and prevent erosion by planting specific crops that are not intended for harvest, often used between main crop seasons. While beneficial, cover cropping does not include the practice of growing different types of crops side by side.