3,051. Planting in Strips and Boxes

Hilchos Kilayim 4:6

If someone wants to plant his field in strips (meishar)* of different species, he must separate two cubits by two cubits (about 36”x36”) at the start of the strips. He can reduce the empty space as the strips proceed until there’s only a little space between the strips at the end. This makes it clear that they were not planted as mixed species.

Hilchos Kilayim 4:7

If he wants to plant his field in boxes (karachas)* of different species, he may not plant more than nine such boxes in a field large enough to plant a seah (about 2.25 gallons) of seed. Each box must be large enough to plant a quarter-kav (about a third of a liter) of seed. The result will be about 9.75 cubits between each box planted because the area in which a seah can be planted is fifty cubits by fifty cubits (about 75’ x 75’). [See diagram.]

*Hold on to this information for halacha 4:8