ABSTRACT
In interplanting, plants compete for the same space and for the light, nutrients, and water provided in the space. Consideration must be given to the relative vigor and size of plants for interplanting. Tall plants may shade shorter plants, thereby aiding or suppressing the shorter plants. Established plants give winter protection to young plants that are not yet established or acclimated to cold temperatures. Some plants have vigorous roots systems that penetrate deeply into the soil or that expand extensively laterally. These luxuriant root systems can help in loosening soil for the growth of other plants in the interplanting. However, the roots of one plant may exhaust nutrients and water from the soil and deprive other plants of nutrients and water.
