For Related Articles and More Information, Please Visit OCA’s Farm Issues Page, and our Organic Transitions Page.

Principle 3: Intensive Planting

The third leg of the stool is intensive
planting. It creates enhanced and uninterrupted plant and root growth by
transplanting seedlings in a close, off-set spacing pattern so their
leaves are barely touching at maturity, creating a living mulch over the
soil!

The
living mulch results in a mini-climate between the plants and the soil, retaining moisture and protecting soil from wind and water exposure that can lead to erosion. Intensive planting also maximizes root material, which increases the biological activity and the organic matter in the soil. (When the soil is healthy, roots can be healthy; when roots are healthy, plants can be healthy.)

Intensive planting limits weed growth, supporting the plants and saving labor. Additionally, the farmer benefits because the hexagonal pattern maximizes the number of plants in a given area, increasing yield.