The purpose of an intensively grown garden is to harvest the most produce possible from a given space.
Companion planting, or intercropping, allows us to take advantage of certain chemical interactions between plants.
An intensive garden reduces wasted space to a minimum. The practice of intensive planting is not just for those with limited garden space; rather, an intensive garden concentrates work efforts to create an ideal plant environment, giving better yields with less labor.
Succession or Interval Planting
Succession planting is a super way to maximize the amount of food you can grow in your garden. The succession planting or "interval planting" (as it is sometimes called) method can truly increase the amount of food you grow and harvest.
Cold Frame Gardening
I don't know about you, but sometime between the first of the year and Valentine's Day, I start to get cabin fever, the 'jitters', the "I've just GOT to get my fingers in the dirt" thing.... I want something that tastes more 'homegrown' by now. It's the PERFECT time to start planning your cold frame or hot bed to get a jump on spring!
Air Layering for Easy Plant Propagation Propagating plants is a great way to make many plants from one, however many gardeners have not been very successful with rooting new plants from cuttings. Well there is a better way. Air layering is easy, and the success rate is much higher....
Raised Bed How To's
Plants in raised beds get more sun and air circulation and they can make better use of water. You often can plant earlier and harvest later, because raised beds warm up early in the spring and stay warm later in the fall.
Integrated Pest Management
Twentyfive years ago, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) seemed a utopian dream to mainstream agriculturalists. The idea that plant pests could be kept at acceptable levels without large amounts of chemical pesticides ran counter to everything they had been taught. But now IPM is embraced by nearly everyone involved in the field. What has caused this turn around?
Introduction to Soil Fertility
Soil fertility is concerned with the inherent capacity of soil to provide nutrients in adequate amounts and in proper balance for the growth of specified plants when other growth factors such as light moisture and temperature and the physical condition of the soil are favorable.
Permaculture is a conscious design and maintenance of systems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of a natural eco-system. It is a harmonious integration of the land with people - providing food, energy, shelter, and material and non-material needs in a sustainable way.