Is There Any Form of Planting That is Forbidden in a Vegetable Garden Outside of Israel?

The Mishnah (Kilayim 1:7) writes that one may not graft together two species of trees, vegetables or a vegetable and a tree. This prohibition applies even outside of Israel. Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De’ah 295:4) explains that the prohibition of grafting is not limited to actually splicing different varieties of plants together, but even includes a situation where the roots of a vegetable penetrate into the branch of a tree and derive sustenance from the sap. This too would be considered grafting, and would be forbidden. This prohibition does not apply to planting on top of tree roots; it only applies to planting on top of branches. Shulchan Aruch notes that most tree branches are hard and we assume they will not be penetrated by the roots of a vegetable. However, there is one case of concern. Vines have soft branches, and it is common to bury these branches under the ground. If the vine branches are buried less than a foot under the ground, one may not plant another species on top, since vines are soft and can be easily penetrated by another plant’s root.

The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt”l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.