Sweet Potato

Ipomoea batatas

Role: Living ground cover and short term food crop

Spacing: 1–1.5m from trees

Benefits: Harvest within 3.5-5 months; covers exposed soil and reduces erosion; retains moisture; yields 10–25 tons per hectare; serves as both food crop and mulch

Planting notes: Plant vines around newly planted trees throughout the plot. If growth becomes too dominant over pineapple or tree seedlings, prune back as needed. Occasional weeding in the first 6–8 weeks. Rotate crop to reduce soil pest buildup.