| GROW BIOINTENSIVE®:
A SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION FOR GROWING FOOD.
© 1995 Jim Bones
We have dedicated our research to rediscovering the scientific principles
that underlie millennia-old traditional farming systems. These have
guided us to the eight essential aspects that are the foundation
of GROW BIOINTENSIVE:
- Double-Dug, Raised Beds
- Composting
- Intensive Planting
- Companion Planting
- Carbon Farming
- Calorie Farming
- The Use of Open-Pollinated Seeds
- A Whole-System Farming Method
Most life in nature occurs at the interface of soil, water, air
and sun. GROW BIOINTENSIVE soil preparation practices create growing
beds with more surface area to maximize the effect of nature’s
life processes. Double-dug beds, with soil loosened to a depth of
24 inches, aerate the soil, facilitate root growth, and improve
water retention. The health and vigor of the soil are maintained
through the use of compost. Close plant spacing is used to protect
soil microorganisms, reduce water loss, and
maximize yields. Companion planting facilitates the optimal use
of nutrients, light and water, encourages beneficial insects and
creates a vibrant mini-ecosystem within the garden. A focus on the
production of calories for the farmer and carbon for the soil ensures
that both the farmer and the soil will be adequately fed and that
the farm will be sustainable. The use of open-pollinated seeds helps
to preserve genetic diversity
and enables gardeners to develop their own acclimatized cultivars.
All of the components of this system must be used together for optimum
effect and to avoid depleting the soil.
GROW BIOINTENSIVE mini-farming techniques make it possible to grow
food using:
- 67% to 88% less water
- 50% to 100% less fertilizer
- 99% less energy than commercial agriculture, while using a fraction
of the
resources.
These techniques can also:
- Produce 2 to 6 times more food
- Build the soil up to 60 times faster than in nature, if properly
used
- Reduce by half or more the amount of land needed
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