5 Underplanting Examples to Grow Vegetables Out of Season & Save Space

In this video, I give you examples of how to grow two or more plants in the same garden space by underplanting or intercropping to help protect from the elements such as the harsh sun or to save space and grow more food in a smaller area.
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Self Sufficient Me is based on our small 3-acre property/homestead in SE Queensland Australia about 45kms north of Brisbane - the climate is subtropical (similar to Florida). I started Self Sufficient Me in 2011 as a blog website project where I document and write about backyard food growing, self-sufficiency, and urban farming in general. I love sharing my foodie and DIY adventures online so come along with me and let's get into it! Cheers, Mark :)

[@DuckcuD]

you should make a video about how you guys preserve your produce, that would be something that I would be very interested in and I imagine that many people would enjoy that

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thanks for the suggestion! Also, check out my recipe and preserving playlist kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqm2oKp3pc6DZ6c All the best :)

[@commonmandenver7370]

I agree! It would help me to get my crop to last longer. Perhaps by canning jars or the investment on a freeze dryer. M

[@EctoMorpheus]

I was about to ask, how can one possibly eat so much corn before it spoils? Or all they all planted in sequence such that they ripen at a different time?

[@juliacurrell38]

I agree please make a video on that

[@ludicrousone8706]

@@EctoMorpheus also, he got help from the chickens

[@kathinspain]

The first time I saw "underplanting" was 10 or 15 years ago when I visited Tunesia. In an oasis I saw orange trees and grape vines planted under the tall palm trees. Under the orange and fruit trees were pepper and tomato plants. It was really impressive how they used the palm trees to protect against the sun and grow so many other things!

[@jennathepuppygirl3045]

I get tickled every time Mark mentions his raised garden beds, he loves them so much. cheers love!

[@reillyminecraft3949]

right?! he should just marry them at this point ;)

[@FrankFilms-hn7ci]

Cant believe i have a beautiful garden after watching and learning from you.I now have basil. chillies. radish. mint. oregano. cherry tomatoes.parsley.lemongrass... and im gonna add CORNS and more now😁Thank you champ👍

[@mpshilpa]

usher freedom where did you get the radish seeds?

[@celtickitc]

💗

[@altanic5855]

@@mpshilpa I've found radish seeds at local farmers markets. May be worth a look!

[@dylanzrim1011]

And more props to corn for its shade, I’ve got mushrooms growing underneath that’ve survived 3 heatwaves.

[@joannebarlow3900]

I know this is an old comment, but thats a great idea! Thanks :)

[@zwhirlwhorled7570]

Live in New England, trying to control emotions of Jealousy. I can't watch anymore. Looks seriously good. I just miss my garden.

[@Dylan-vh9bd]

Mark is one of those most informative and genuine humans on KZbin. I hope to be as awesome as this guy is one day.

[@tanyamcginnis2879]

I absolutely love your channel. My husband and I are gonna start some of these this spring. He is so excited to start changing our lifestyles to a self sufficient one. The name of your channel is spot on!

[@Selfsufficientme]

All the best to both of you! Get into it and grow a ton! Thanks 🙂👍

[@SUBZEROxACID]

I just want to thank you for your information on everything you have changed my life, I was useless when it came to seedling and starting plants until last month lets say I've been binge watching info and now have tomatoes, bok choi, lettuce, basil and even some flowers... Thanks Mark 👍 Edit: forgot about my carrots too 😂

[@Selfsufficientme]

Cool! There are so many varieties of veg to try so get into it! Cheers :)

[@SUBZEROxACID]

I will i will just keep up the quality content

[@liztlaw]

congratulations that is awesome

[@dulce0403]

Native Americans taught what is known as the three sisters method of cropping, similarly to what you're doing here they would plant corn with beans and squash. The corn would provide trellis for the beans to climb. The beans would provide nitrogen and the squash ground cover. This undercropping/companion planting method works really well in my area of Arizona (USA). We have intense, arid heat throughout the summers. I've found that sunflowers, corn and even artichoke can provide excellent shade for various crops like lettuce and carrots. I've even had an over abundance of cilantro(coriander) stalks that we're going to seed act as excellent shade bearing plants for lettuce and cabbage to grow in the understory. Cheers great video! How's the chipper working out for you?

[@gayedawn1]

dulce0403 ...I tried but my beans grew twice as high as the corn and I ended up with training sticks and a great tangle. Beans were great, corn not so much.

[@jonathanhatch6575]

@Old chunk of coal. "Myth" as in wideley held but false belief or myth as in traditional story? Because this is actually a real part of American agriculture.

[@zeenasworld]

thanks @dulce0403 for tell him about three sisters growing method. So now I do not have to.

[@rlowellm]

@@gayedawn1 that’s why you go for a variety of corn that grows over 6 feet tall, or use bush beans that don’t climb as much.

[@squange20]

Isn’t that just amazing? All the useful tips from people commenting is so very helpful.

[@EveArtie]

Thank you SO MUCH! I'm doing a NO BUY, NO SPEND year and so have started growing our own food. Learning sooooo much from your channel. Much gratitude from Northern ,NSW 😎

[@dylanzrim1011]

Eve & Artie with respect, you won’t be able to do this unless you’re eating the dirt. Even full scale farmers need the supermarkets

[@Selfsufficientme]

G'day Eve and Artie, thank you and all the best with your food garden! Cheers :)

[@EveArtie]

@@dylanzrim1011 oh yes, we have some 'rules' with the no buy no spend. We can spend on necessities. Just no extra and/luxury purchases etc. Plus, the area we live in, we can do produce swaps. Thank you

[@EveArtie]

@@Selfsufficientme thank you so much!!! It's been fun starting from scratch

[@likeargamanflaming940]

I'm doing a no buy for many things and a low buy for other things. Growing more and more I n the raised beds.

[@4KidsandaFarm]

Great information! You have been the go to garden guy for growing tons of food in a small space! Love your channel...and your accent! Hope you are well and safe Down Under!

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thank you! Yes all good here cheers :)

[@epicgardening]

Love doing this after my tomatoes have taken off!

[@Selfsufficientme]

G'day Kevin! Yes true mate! Great space saver for any larger food crop. Cheers :)

[@clochibogmarsh4415]

Not that I don’t care about what’s happening there but it’s good to see you are still going because you really know your stuff and I’m sure people have learned so much from you Mark.

[@rover790]

Marks growing principals can still be applied wherever you are. Yes, if you live in a place with freezing winters, you cannot grow veges outside and have yo start them inside or in a greenhouse, but during your growing season surely they will still work.

[@JamesPawson]

I don't have a garden and maybe never will, but man I love watching this channel, so relaxing.

[@MickyBellRoberts]

My raised beds are coming along in my small backyard garden. You have taught me so much. You are da man.

[@LB-vl3qn]

So, the lesson here is to plant corn all over the place and see what volunteers in its shade. I can't help but grin at your pronunciations. We say COLLards like shirt collar with a 'd; you say co-LARDs. We say or-EGG-a-no; you say or-eh--GONE-oh. We say peppers; you say capsicums. You Aussie's are so much fun! You've surpassed half a million subs, Mark. No stopping you now. I"m so proud of you! ~ Lisa

[@Automedon2]

Just discovered your channel and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I'll be binge watching for days. Also, condolences to all our human and animal brothers and sisters for what they are enduring in the fires.

[@nikpatel9613]

Love your videos, Mark. Last year I let volunteer ground cherry grow under my corn, carrots under my tomatoes, amaranth greens under my okra, and purslane under my peppers. I ended up with double the produce, and the smaller plants also acted as green mulch to protect the soil.

[@VeeEleanor]

I love watching your videos. I first saw you when I was searching for how to grow Avacado from seed back in November. Now my small balcony here in Beijing has turned into a garden. I just wanted to say thank you for all the helpful tips. Stay safe!

[@karllidbetterr]

i live close to you in a place called gympie and i get this all the time other veg growing under the bigger stuff. But thats probably the possum spreading the seeds around.

[@carreychan]

Hahaha I love the low key “B.S.” 🤣

[@jeil5676]

I love the way he says oregano and collards.

[@lauriemclean1131]

Shhhh. That must just be how they are pronounced with an Aussie accent. 😉

[@ohdear14]

Normal for Aussies, dont stress we think the same when you guys pronounce it.

[@Vegansonya]

Haha, how else would he say it?

[@oregonk91]

@@Vegansonya Here we say or-REG-an-o (his way sounds much more exotic from here ... especially when I have to kill off oregano every year, as it's so weedy here!)

[@karenlatham4053]

Pretty sure she wasn't stressing.. It's just really cute. It's interesting how an accent different from our own can invoke different feelings.. 💚

[@sandyp9891]

Three of my problems in SE Texas: (1) People have discouraged me from growing corn because of its low yield per plant, (2) those crazy manuals recommend spacing them 12 to 18 inches apart, and (3) the SE Texas sun can be brutal on a garden where I have very little shade. It sounds like corn is exactly what I need and lots of it! Thank you. I'm going to try it this year!

[@itsasickness4939]

I’m in southern Louisiana and I say grow as much corn as you have the space for!! 6” apart as long as you have fertile soil (so 4 per square foot) and plant the seeds now! Btw. Lots of sun is good, it’s the wind that will wreck corn so plant the seeds about 3” deep! You won’t regret it

[@swobodams]

This is a real game changer. Can’t believe I didn’t think about something so simple yet so beneficial. Thanks Mark!

[@katarinabrooks6290]

I'm growing tomatoes under a lemon tree and thanks to your video I'm going to plant corn around my silverbeets to help protect them from the sun and I'm in WA Australia 😄

[@Selfsufficientme]

That'll work good I reckon! Cheers :)

[@belindadomingo]

Thanks for the idea to use corn as a windbreak and a living trellis! I haven’t grown corn yet so am keen to try it out in my garden. Cheers from Phillip Island

[@Selfsufficientme]

Ok great - G'day Belinda! :)

[@teemomain8268]

Glad you and the wife continue to be safe from these wildfires,garden on mate

[@bubbysbub]

It's always worth keeping seed from stuff that's grown out of season, as I find it's then almost hardier to our conditions in the next run. Keep planting them out, keep succession planting, eventually you end up with your own strain that really pushes the boundaries of the normal season for that plant. Mark, can you tell me how often you water your garden through summer?

[@kingjames4886]

"5 examples of planting extra corn everywhere" :P

[@Selfsufficientme]

Popping corn, red corn, purple corn, and standard sweet corn :)

[@barbll000]

@@Selfsufficientme From what I remember in Aussie, a half piece of sweet corn is a normal serving. In Canada, about four cobs each is a normal serving :)

[@thesagedwizard]

@@barbll000 lol not in this household. We love our corn on the cob!

[@fry9000]

🤣

[@matthewgonsalves2479]

@@Selfsufficientme whatt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! no blue corn lol

[@m996p]

First of all thank you for sharing all this knowledge with us. Secondly, if you haven't already, I think it would be cool if you made a video on the things you should do on a regular basis in your garden to keep your plants and soil healthy. As someone who is very new to all this, keeping a list of all the things that should be done in the day/week/month would be very helpful. Maybe you already have a video on this and haven't found it. You could also link some of your other videos in the description for more information on each topic.

[@Aquapod9]

Aw yeah! I was just going on a Self Sufficient Me binge and this video came at the perfect time! Thanks for the great content Mark

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thank you Joshua! :)

[@torphotographic2888]

Hi Mark, great examples of under planting. Some of my best plants ever, are self sown so i am particularly careful to pull out only the weeds and let the freebies have a chance. I threw out the gardening manual years ago because I don’t think Mother Nature ever read it. :) Nice 👍 video.

[@just-becool8822]

You elevate my mood. When I watch crap online, and then I see a video from you, I smile and exhale all negativity. I breath in a smile, relax my mind & body and hit play.

[@debbieexcell5088]

I appreciate how you include different climate types or weather conditions in your videos. I'm in the tropics and I appreciate the extra information that applies to me.

[@WefishSydney]

My parents are masters but I am learning now I remember We used to grow edamame beans & pumpkin under corn .. they grow very well & sweet potato as well

[@kenhamby6871]

Hi Mark. When corn is planted and then beans and squash, that's known as "the three sisters by the native Americans". The beans grow up the corn stalks and provides shade for the squash also keeps the weeds down. Ken Hamby Alabama

[@deedeeinwi]

Thank you for sharing your garden wisdom...enjoy watching you

[@melodytenisch6232]

Thanks Mark! I have a small garden space so this is very helpful, and yes, healthily is indeed a word. Your garden is always a treat to see as are you. Your information is really useful and I appreciate your sharing. Blessings to you and your family.😊😂👵🐕🌲🎶from WA state grandma💞

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thank you Melody and blessings to you also! :)

[@metalyn]

Yes I just found some garlic that was growing under my tomato bushes. I love my raised beds and vegetables. I can't wait for Spring! Love your videos, stay safe and fire free.

[@ede2225]

You just doubled my summer production! Many thanks!!!!

[@offgridsweden]

Awesome video Mark. Love your videos and you got an amazing garden. Hanve a great weekend, Andreas 🇸🇪

[@Selfsufficientme]

G'day Andreas! Good to see your comment mate. Cheers :)

[@AlexAnder-rv1gu]

I love that you share the results of your experiments, and that you experiment at all. Other youtubers would just be like "fancy music! So happy sounding! I grew X from Y! Look how easy! 1, 2, 3, boom!"

[@jasonbean591]

This is good advice. I just started a garden plot at the local park. Maybe I can do it there.:)

[@Defensive_Wounds]

If we had something like that in my suburb of Perth, it'd be trashed and pulled out/run over by trail bikes within a day...

[@allegrosotto2126]

@@Defensive_Wounds Get the bike riders involved and that would change. It's worked in Joburg south Africa, so it's worth a go👍🏻

[@AGee2217]

You're one of my new favorites on KZbin! 😊 Your positive personality is infectious and I love that.

[@janetleeharrison]

WOW! I haven't been paying attention lately - 513K subscribers! Well done, Mark! Wish I could give you 2 thumbs up on your videos.

[@friendlyfoodforest8033]

We live in cold Michigan where tomatoes do good in the summer, which shades our lettuce that we plant between rows. We almost always under plant everything on Friendly Food Forest channel. Great video with an even better idea.

[@venetogardens]

Thank you. This is a good reminder for my hot summers in Northern California

[@gartengeflugel924]

I'm always smiling a bit when you talk about growing crops through winter. Nothing except winter grain grows/survives here in that season ;)

[@angiemercedes7345]

A big 👍 from me Mark. Thank you so much!

[@chefevilee9566]

Great video. I think the biggest takeaway is that I need to grow corn! 😂 Is that like where cardamom seeds come from that plant? What people referred to that garlic being is “green garlic”. Look up Chef John food wishes YT. He makes a green garlic soup if you love garlic you’re gonna love that soup. I always kept a photo record chart on my Pinterest boards

[@grannybearsgarden]

You gave some really interesting ideas I’m hoping to try in my Oklahoma garden. Thanks!

[@sibylc2908]

So interesting! I’m definitely going to try some underplanting this summer. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@WildFloridian]

I always learning something from you Mark! Thanks for the 5 plus bonus examples. 😉

[@gardencenterwarrior8880]

Garden looks really good!! Very nice beets!

[@judyevans6074]

Fantastic! So excited about concepts like these that I've been learning over the last year. Chomping at the bit to put them into action this season!! Thank you for another great video. Entertaining and educational.

[@thomashaley5084]

Great content!

[@AraceaeFanatics]

This is the greatest channel ever. I watch this and Earth Titan only. Never a video I have already seen.

[@simplifygardening]

Great tips on underplanting Mark. I am sure this will help a ton of people out. Congrats on Hal a mil subs pal ;) Well deserved

[@RalucaIrimie]

My grandfather used to grow beans and corn together. We also combine corn with zucchini, and various herbs between other plans, to protect them. Their intense flavor is like a repellent for some bugs. It is always nice to see your clips. Thank you for your inspiration and ideas!

[@mackenziedrake]

I'll be trying this in a couple weeks or so here in California. Our summers are brutally hot, and my planter is backed up with a brick wall, so I may end up using shade cloth between June and September anyway. You've been a great inspiration to me as I'm getting started gardening again for the first time in a couple of decades. Thank you!

[@asliceofheavenhomestead3559]

Great info Mark. We are about to move onto our first homestead in subtropical Florida. I always love learning from your experiences and hope to pass on what I learn with my channel in time. Stay safe!

[@chris432t6]

Love the raised beds. Very clean and tidy. How busy is Mark? He must have his kids help in the garden because he is mostly solo in his videos?

[@Selfsufficientme]

Yes our boys do help with the garden, animals and general work around the property. And I'm still busier than a one-legged man in an arse-kicking competition. I do try to have some forced breaks though... Cheers ;)

[@chris432t6]

@@Selfsufficientme your the best, love your channel. We need someone like you out here in the Nevada desert giving us newbies good tips like you do in the tropical climate where you live? Thank you Mark for being such a cool teacher in the world of gardening.

[@jennathepuppygirl3045]

yay! I was just thinking about underplanting!!

[@Selfsufficientme]

Get into it Jenna! :)

[@martinb6065]

I’m glad I subscribed. Fantastic channel. Truly fascinating

[@cathysanders8485]

You always teach something new and informative!! Love your channel.

[@LaHortetadeBussy]

Thanks men for video

[@mk84142]

Your channel is awesome Mark, I watch it often as I love gardening and im trying to grow as much as I can in my small backyard. Ive actually never commented on youtube but I had to comment because I laughed out loud with the B.S on the webpage. Haha funny coz its true, I live on outskirts of Sydney those charts are never accurate for me. Thanks for all your amazing tips and laughs.

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thank you and I'm glad you got a laugh out of my written commentary on the growing guide - I certainly don't give it an A+ Cheers :)

[@grannyprepper7788]

Fabulous!! Learned about undergrowing.

[@Jill.Carter.]

I've been watching your channel for months now and have just bought my first two raised beds! I'm on heavy clay too but the weather is very different throughout the year here in the UK compared to yours. Thanks for all the info and the wonderful videos. Stay safe.

[@Selfsufficientme]

All the best with your raised beds. They should work well in your climate. Thank you :)

[@OldReddingFarm]

love to see the photos of your past giant harvests!

[@ellatarvas1115]

I'm so jealous of all the the plants you can grow in your climate. Your garden is amazing!

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thank you Ella :)

[@giojared]

One of my favorite ways to do a intensive garden! Great video!

[@noyselee]

Beautiful man and his beautiful garden. Thank you for sharing.

[@martyfowler3072]

I am grateful and thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge. I learn and gain a lot of knowledge from your videos. Thank you sir

[@Berkeloid0]

4:03 "healthily" is definitely the right word to use! It's a pet peeve of mine when people say they are "eating healthy" (which means "I am eating a healthy", whatever one of those is) instead of "eating healthily" (which means eating things that are healthy).

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thanks for clearing that up mate! Cheers :)

[@jamesherman1350]

Love this video. Given me some great ideas for the new raised beds I'll be making when spring finally finds Minnesota lol.

[@jasehargreaves]

This is a brilliant channel mate, I'm in a totally different climate but still can't watch enough of these vids

[@jasehargreaves]

you see I was under the impression corn had to be in blocks of at leats a dozen plants at a time

[@debsmith8936]

Wow Mark, you’re vegetables are so beautiful. I’m trying to plant different foods to see whatever will grow! God Bless you and your wonderful family 🙏🌺🌴

[@lisacheney9011]

Your weather conditions are similar to ours in Southern California. Thanks for sharing your expertise.

[@tasneembashir2733]

Mark! Thanks for the knowledge you provide

[@jessiesalisbury86]

Hi, I've stumbled upon this Phrase over time by the expert cooks of the world: The difference between an ordinary cook and a great cook is a well stocked Pantry. Well I must be a great cook I have 4 pantry's the largest is a 10 ft. by 10 ft. by 10 ft. room with shelves all around the walls, and reaching to the ceiling. That is full of vegetables, fruits, soups and the like. a second pantry has dried vegetables in half gallon jugs, also canned chicken, pork etc. It is so nice to have my own groceries in my house instead of at the store. Jessie USA

[@matthewbrown9595]

The gourd tunnel is awesome just love it

[@freddygonzalez5523]

Love all the great advice you give, I was growing a few different kinds of lettuce recently and I kept getting told that they wouldn’t grow because of this and that and whatever I kept at it and I got so much great lettuce the birds even ate some of it but I fixed that problem and they grew right back, your videos are the best thanks!

[@mikehurd7769]

Hey Mark! I use sun flowers for my beans to climb up also.

[@ltlbnsgarden]

Great technique to follow. It gets hot 🥵 here too, so I have also done something similar. I use sunflowers 🌻 too to help shade some plants 😊

[@BlakesNaturelife]

Awesome techniques in gardening!! 🌱🌱🌱

[@manonbertrand9228]

You bring so much personality to your videos Mark!!! I wish I could have a cool uncle like you telling me about all these incredible techniques!! But in I way, I do now :) !! Thank you for all the effort and sharing your knowledge

[@wendysurbanhomestead5011]

Wow this is an excellent video.. I really love planting different veggies everywhere. isnt this called Polyculture ?

[@cpjohnson1887]

Thank you. I'm working with a small space, and I'm actually doing a new garden plot this year. Half of the space I'm alloting is shaded some of the day and the other half is full sun. I was so discouraged about not having enough space to plant everything I want. And I know about companion planting, and three sisters, but for some reason I just wasnt thinking I could really make it work. Not with the space i have. This video very much has uplifted me and encouraged me that even if I'm throwing things in where ever I can fit them, that I can still grow what I want. I just have to get a little creative, and think outside the box. Thanks for that so much. I'm subscribing for more for sure!

[@jaearmina7609]

Very informative. Love this.

[@angerainbow9200]

I really enjoyed this video. The idea of photo journal for the plants is fantastic.

[@gregorywellssr7857]

Yes "healthily" is proper English, Mark, good on ya.;-)

[@eerikasmith6317]

Hey Mark. I did underplanting last November with butter beans in between my corn. Worked a treat and the best crop I had and I LOVE butterbeans.

[@erika_is_growing]

It gets pretty hot here in Sacramento, California...I'm going to borrow all of these tips when I plant for summer! Thank you so much.

[@cathiegalbraith475]

Fantastic video! Gives me lots of ideas. I am in a similar weather situation, just reversed in San Diego. I am dealing with winter crops now. But I am excited to try some if you ideas as we move into Spring

[@pressedearth9492]

Thanks for the info on under cropping. Definitely going to try that here in Georgia this season.

[@hermithillfarm1123]

Another awesome video thanks

[@SmallGardenQuest]

Interesting concept. I am already thinking how I can integrate it in the garden!

[@stevenschkabaryn5103]

Parsley pops up everywhere in my raised garden bed under all my crops

[@stephkrunic3884]

Parsley is AMAZING!! We even had it coming up between paving in our hot part of Australia!! The kids and my mum thought they were hilarious to call it path-ley