How to intercrop hemp
How to intercrop hemp
Hemp (Cannabis sativa L., 1753) is a plant of the Cannabaceae family cultivated mainly for textile or construction use, for the production of paper and in both the medical and recreational fields as it contains some narcotic substances, in percentages variable depending on the variety.
In the past, hemp cultivation was common in the Mediterranean and central European areas. First of all because this plant grew on soils that were difficult to cultivate with other industrial plants (sandy soils and marshy areas in the river plains), furthermore because there was a strong demand for such multipurpose and cheap plants, in fact hemp was useful for producing substances ” oily” (for lighting), “fibrous” (textile fibres, paper, rope) and feed for productive livestock.
Today hemp is gradually returning to cultivation and, as with other plants, it benefits considerably from the intercropping technique.
Among the plants that we can combine with hemp we remember: yarrow, beetroot, basil, calendula, chamomile, watermelon, coriander, chives, broad bean and legumes, sunflower, lavender, corn, mint, nasturtium, okra, potato, tomato, leek, turnip, spinach, stevia, marigold, pumpkin; Furthermore, a very useful combination is with cabbage.
Intercropping hemp with other plants can bring various benefits, such as reducing pests, improving soil health and increasing biodiversity. Here are some of the plants that can be associated with hemp:
Legumes (e.g. clover, beans, peas): Legumes fix nitrogen in the soil, improving soil fertility, which is beneficial for hemp growth.
Marigold: This plant helps keep parasites, such as nematodes and some harmful insects, away thanks to its natural repellent properties.
Yarrow: Yarrow attracts beneficial insects such as ladybugs and hoverflies, which feed on hemp pests.
Chives: Planting chives near hemp can help keep aphids and other harmful insects away.
Basil: Basil has repellent properties for insects such as mosquitoes and flies, and can also improve the growth of hemp.
Mint: Mint can help deter some insect pests due to its strong aroma.
Lavender: Lavender not only repels pests, but also attracts pollinating insects such as bees and butterflies.
Sunflower: Sunflowers can serve as trap plants for some insect pests, distracting them from hemp.
Nasturtium: Nasturtium is known to attract aphids away from main crops, functioning as a trap plant.
Cilantro: Cilantro can help control insects such as aphids and attract beneficial insects.
This intercropping practice must be done taking into account the local climate, the type of soil and the specific needs of the plants involved. Each combination must be tested and monitored to ensure that it brings desired benefits without negative effects on the growth of the hemp or associated plants.