An unusual feature of Mālaqi viticulture was the interplanting of grape vines and fig trees, grown mostly in the Axarquía area east of Mālaqa.

A twist on this is the crafty interplanting of marigolds between rows to deter white fly, and nasturtiums placed as a sacrificial plant near your brassicas: cabbage white caterpillars much prefer them.

This American Indian interplanting is known as the Three Sisters, and it works equally well with squash, melons or cucumbers instead of courgettes and any pea or bean in place of the borlottis.