These chinampas allowed inhabitants to make use of the lake waters, which surrounded the Aztec Empire, because they were a form of agriculture and produced a good majority of the food for the inhabitants. Chinampas were used all year long and thus several crops were produced annually. The indigenous farmers used these floating platforms to grow corn, squash, amaranth, chilies, beans, and flowers. Part of each crop grown in the chinampas supported the city population and the rest was offered as a tribute to the Gods. For example, the flowers grown were often used in various Aztec ceremonies.

The use of chinampas resulted in fertile, nitrionally rich soil that increased the the productivity of the farmers. Less effort was needed to produce sufficient amounts of food. In order to keep the platforms fertile, alluvial deposits were added over time. The chinampas were so effective at producing, that there was often food surpluses. Thus inhabitants were able to concentrate less on agricultural aspects, and more on other tasks in daily indigenous life such as crafts and military obligations.

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