What is bio-intensive market gardening on a small plot?
Vegetable production concentrated on 4,000 to 8,000 m², human-scale, diversified and economically viable: the fundamentals of bio-intensive market gardening.
Vegetable cultivation on a reduced area
Unlike large market gardening plains, bio-intensive market gardening — also known as small-plot market gardening — concentrates its production on areas of 4,000 to 8,000 m². It looks like a large vegetable garden, but with an economic vision and profitability that are integral parts of the system.
A human-scale business
Due to its size, a bio-intensive market garden is easy to manage. For an area of 8,000 m², we count 4 to 5 people, which creates jobs and allows simple management by a head grower. This reduced area also offers a clear view of all crops and allows rapid intervention if necessary.
A diversified vegetable production: with an average of 45 different vegetables and more than 120 varieties, bio-intensive market gardening is characterized by this great diversity.
This allows a wide range throughout the season and a varied stall at markets. Diversity is also a guarantee of security against climatic hazards, insects or diseases, unlike monocultures.
Going further
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Do you really need a tractor on a market gardening micro-farm?
Micro-farms are designed at human scale, without heavy machinery. But some uses can justify a compact tractor. Let's take a closer look.
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Micro-farms: organic market gardening on a human scale
To make a comfortable living from vegetables, one hectare is enough. A deep dive into Jean-Martin Fortier's book on micro-farms.
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What is a market gardening micro-farm?
Small plots, frugality, diversification: the founding principles of organic market gardening micro-farms, explained simply.