Intercrop Plants With Roots That Grow to a Similar Depth

Q. I planted asparagus at the base of my fruit trees. I can send you pictures if you want.

Asparagus is short when harvested. But allowed to grow tall in recovery. Some asparagus will grow 5 to 6 feet tall.

A. Asparagus is a good thing to interplant with fruit trees, but it should be planted between the fruit trees, not at their base. They have similar watering needs, and their frequency of watering is very similar. That’s important.

            There are three things to concern yourself when planting at the base of fruit trees; increasing the amount of water needed, height interference with lower fruit tree branches, and a decrease in light for the asparagus growing under the tree’s canopy. That decrease in light directly affects asparagus production.

Intercropping between fruit trees requires light, water, and space. Here sesame is intercropped with fruit trees.

            Now onto where it should be planted. Plant intercrops between fruit trees rather than around their base. If you do, they will get an increase in the amount of light they receive, and they can grow as tall as they like without interference from lower tree branches. Intercropping like this works well with melons, squash, perennial herbs, perennial fruit, and artichokes.

Plants intercropped with fruit trees should have a deeper root system, require light and water.

            Unless you are using drip tubing you will have to add emitters if grown between trees. Drip tubing (built-in drip emitters) allows the roots of trees to “follow” the water and provides a wet soil for interplanting until the trees start to shade the area. When grown between trees asparagus height won’t be a problem later in the season. Asparagus is allowed to get taller after the spring spear removal for fresh vegetables.