Kilayim 2:11-3:1

Kilayim 2:11

Let’s say that two types of grain are planted a sufficient distance apart but one of them hangs over the other, or one type of vegetable hangs over another, or grain over vegetable, or vegetable over grain. In all of these cases, it is permitted with the exception of Greek gourds (because their leaves intrude on the other species). Rabbi Meir also prohibits cucumbers and Egyptian beans. While he may have had a tradition prohibiting the other species, Rabbi Meir found the Sages’ position, prohibiting only Greek gourds, to make more sense.

Kilayim 3:1

A plot of land measuring six handbreadths by six handbreadths (approximately 325 square inches) can be divided so that five different items can be planted: a different one on each side, plus one in the middle. If the plot is surrounded by a border a handbreadth high, 13 different species can be planted: three on each side of the border (3x4=12), plus one in the middle. One may not plant the tops of turnips on the border because of the way it spreads. Rabbi Yehuda permits planting six different species in the middle.