Key Technical Points and Cultivation Methods of Three-Dimensional Vegetable Planting Explained in Detail

AbstractThree-dimensional intercropping of chili pepper with amaranth: In early to mid-April, broadcast amaranth seeds, then plant chili pepper seedlings. Three-dimensional intercropping of tomato with winter melon: Plant tomatoes in mid-to-late March, then intercrop winter melon in early April, with 1 row intercropped on one side of each bed. Three-dimensional intercropping of sugarcane with cucumber: Plant sugarcane around Qingming Festival, then transplant cucumber in early April.

I. Three-Dimensional Intercropping of Chili Pepper with Amaranth

This is a three-dimensional planting technique that makes use of the different growth rates and heights of crops. It can not only increase vegetable yields but also reduce rain erosion. There are mainly the following 2 cultivation methods for intercropping. 

1. Method 1: Open-field intercropping of chili pepper with amaranth. Chili pepper can be planted in early to mid-April, with a bed width including trenches of 1.5 m, 3 rows per bed, a plant spacing of 40 cm, and about 4,200 plants per mu. Then evenly broadcast amaranth seeds at a sowing rate of 3-4 jin per mu. Alternatively, sow amaranth seeds first and then plant chili pepper seedlings. Amaranth matures in early to mid-May, with an amaranth yield of 1,500 jin per mu and a chili pepper yield of about 5,000 jin per mu.

2. Method 2: Intercropping chili pepper with amaranth in a medium tunnel. Medium tunnel cover cultivation is generally used, and chili pepper can be transplanted as early as early to mid-March. The planting density is the same as open-field cultivation, and then amaranth is sown. Amaranth matures in mid-to-late April. With an earlier planting season, the yield will also be relatively higher.

II. Three-Dimensional Intercropping of Tomato with Winter Melon

1. Tomatoes can be planted in mid-to-late March, then winter melon intercropped in early April, with 1 row intercropped on one side of each bed, a plant spacing of 1.5-2 m, and 300-400 plants per mu. In the early stage, tomato growth is the main focus.

2. When the winter melon reaches the trellis in May-June, its dense foliage can be used to shade the tomatoes and prevent high-temperature sunscald. Through careful management, the combined yield of tomato and winter melon can reach more than 10,000 jin per mu. This is a highly efficient three-dimensional planting technique that uses differences in growth timing.

III. Three-Dimensional Intercropping of Sugarcane with Cucumber

1. Planting can make use of the different growth rates of the 2 crops. Sugarcane is generally planted around Qingming Festival. After land preparation, apply sufficient base fertilizer and then arrange the seed pieces, generally with a bed width of 1.5 m, 2 rows of seed pieces, and plastic film mulching. Cucumber can be transplanted in early April, with 1 row planted along the edge of each bed, a plant spacing of 30 cm, and about 1,500 plants per mu.

2. Alternatively, plant 1 row along the edge of each of two beds every other trench, then set up crossed trellises. If the sugarcane field has sufficient base fertilizer, wide row spacing, and good ventilation, plus plastic film mulching, cucumber will grow relatively quickly in the early stage. Cucumber matures in April-May, with a yield of up to 3,000-4,000 jin per mu, and it has little effect on sugarcane growth.

3. By making use of the growth characteristics and morphological features of different vegetable varieties for three-dimensional intercropping, space can be fully utilized and the yield per unit area can be greatly increased.