Bio-Intensive Farming

The Five Components of Bio-Intensive Farming

Double-Dug, Raised Beds
Crops are planted in beds that are "double-dug." The soil is dug 12 inches down, then loosened an additional 12 inches. Having loose soil 24 inches down enables plant roots to penetrate easily, and incorporates oxygen deep into the soil. This loosening of the soil creates a "raised-bed" effect.

Intensive Planting
Seeds or seedlings are planted in beds three to five feet wide using a hexagonal spacing pattern. Each plant is placed the same distance from all seeds nearest to it so that when the plants mature, their leaves touch. This creates a "micro-climate" under the leaves that retains moisture, protects the valuable microbiotic life of the soil, retards weed growth and provides for high yields. This method avoids problems encountered when planting in narrow rows.