BioIntensive Methods

The biointensive method is an organic agricultural system which focuses on maximum yields from the minimum area of land, while simultaneously improving the soil.

The goal of the method is long term sustainability on a closed system basis.

It has also been used successfully on small scale commercial farms.

This is a complete Beginners Guide in videos

very generously made available by the John Jeavons video channel

A Beginner's Guide -- Introduction

Session 1: GROW BIOINTENSIVE

Many of the techniques that comprise the biointensive method were present in the agriculture of the ancient Chinese, Greeks, Mayans, and of the Early Modern period in Europe.

Alan Chadwick brought together the Biodynamic and French intensive methods, as well as his own unique approach, to form what he called the Biodynamic-French Intensive method.

The method was further developed by John Jeavons and Ecology Action into a sustainable 8-step food-raising method known as "GROW BIOINTENSIVE."

The method now enjoys widespread practice and development.

The Southside Community Land Trust located in Providence, Rhode Island, uses the biointensive method to produce food on its city farm.

This technique is preferable because it yields large amounts of food for both local sale and donation.

Read more in the Wikipedia article

A self-teaching series from John Jeavons and Cynthia Raiser Jeavons.

This is the first episode in a series from the author of the sustainable gardening classic "How to Grow More Vegetables". The whole series is available as a full-length uncut DVD, and more episodes are being posted online at http://www.johnjeavons.info/video.html

With this revolutionary organic gardening method, you will learn to grow more food in less space, to build truly sustainable soil fertility, and to save money by reducing water, energy and fertilizer use! This self-teaching series provides an excellent introduction to the GROW BIOINTENSIVE method and will get you out into the garden in 8 sessions!

Topics include garden bed and soil, seedlings, transplanting, composting, harvesting, saving seeds, choosing your crops, and maintaining your garden.

A Beginner's Guide -- Growing Seedlings in Flats

Session 2: GROW BIOINTENSIVE

A Beginner's Guide -- Garden Bed Preparation

Session 3 Part 1: GROW BIOINTENSIVE

A Beginner's Guide -- Garden Bed Preparation

Session 3, Part 2: GROW BIOINTENSIVE

A Beginner's Guide -- Transplanting

Session 4: GROW BIOINTENSIVE

A Beginner's Guide -- Composting

Session 5, Part A: GROW BIOINTENSIVE

A Beginner's Guide -- Composting

Session 5, Part B: GROW BIOINTENSIVE

A Beginner's Guide -- Harvesting

Session 6, Part A: GROW BIOINTENSIVE

A Beginner's Guide -- Harvesting

Session 6, Part B: GROW BIOINTENSIVE

A Beginner's Guide -- Seeds

Session 7: GROW BIOINTENSIVE

A Beginner's Guide -- Choosing Your Crops

Session 8 Part A: GROW BIOINTENSIVE

A Beginner's Guide -- Maintaining Your Garden

Session 9: GROW BIOINTENSIVE