The taste and nutritional value of home-grown, chemical-free vegetables is unrivalled. Bio-intensive vegetable production is a sustainable method that is revolutionising gardening, not only for hobbyists but also for professionals. Rather than relying on chemicals and large amounts of energy, we use the natural ecosystem to create a bountiful garden harvest 🥕
This article details the basics of a biointensive approach, from soil building to plant spacing and natural control to successful harvesting. Find out how you can produce much more in a small area with less work. 🧑🌾
The basis of a bio-intensive garden: living soil 🪱
Turning the soil (digging, rotating), which is common in traditional gardening, is the most destructive intervention you can do to the soil. The biointensive method is based on the “no-dig” principle. The soil is a complex living system full of worms, fungi and bacteria that provide the nutrients available to the roots. Digging upsets soil layers, killing beneficial micro-organisms and bringing weed seeds to the surface.
Instead, the soil is simply fed. A thick, nutrient-rich layer of compost mulch is the solution.
Steps to prepare the soil:
- A thick layer of compost: spread 3-5 cm of mature compost on the surface of the garden beds at the end of winter or in early spring. Compost not only provides nutrients but also covers the soil, preventing weeds from germinating and retaining moisture. 🌿
- Loosening with a spade fork: If the soil is extremely compact, it is a good idea to loosen the soil gently once at the very beginning, using a spade fork (or spade fork loosener) to a depth of 20-30 cm. It’s important not to turn the soil upside down, just move it with the tool, smoothing the path of the worms and roots. ✨
- Maintain No-dig: From now on, no further rotation is necessary. The soil-dwelling organisms are constantly at work, working the mulch and keeping the soil loose. This process significantly reduces the work and increases soil fertility 💧
The art of planting and the magic of dense planting 🤝
Another cornerstone of biointensive vegetable production is plant spacing and dense planting. Rather than planting plants in large rows far apart, biointensive beds plant different species close together. This serves several purposes:
- Maximum space: you can harvest much more in a small area. 🍎
- Weed suppression: the dense foliage of the plants quickly covers the bed, blocking light from the weeds, which cannot germinate. 🚫
- Natural pest control: we use the right plant associations to deter pests and attract beneficial insects. 🐞
Planting examples in practice:
- Onions: the smell of garlic and red onion scares off carrot fly and cabbage fly. They are therefore excellent with cabbage (broccoli, cauliflower), lettuce and carrots. 🧅
- Tomatoes: planting basil next to tomatoes keeps tomato pits at bay, while carrots enhance the flavour of the tomatoes. Marigolds keep soil-dwelling nematodes at bay with their root sap. 🍅
- Corn, beans, pumpkin (the “three sisters”): Maize supports runner beans, beans fix nitrogen in the soil for plants, and pumpkin leaves suppress weeds and retain soil moisture 🌽
- Carrots and radishes: radishes grow quickly and can be harvested before the roots of the slower-growing carrots. Carrots and onions keep each other’s pests at bay 🥕
Natural plant protection: biocontrol of pests and diseases 🧪
In a chemical-free garden, the aim is not to eradicate pests, but to prevent them and create balance. In a healthy, biodiverse ecosystem, pests also have natural enemies, such as ladybirds, ladybird beetles and ladybird weevils.
The pillars of pest management:
- Attracting beneficial insects: plant flowers such as marigolds, marigolds, geraniums or dill that attract pollinating insects and pest enemies 🌺
- Homemade sprays:
- Nettlejuice: The juice fermented from fresh nettles (1 kg of nettles to 10 litres of water, soaked for 1-2 weeks) diluted (1:10) is an excellent growth stimulant and aphid control agent.
- Garlic tea: a decoction of crushed garlic (10 cloves to 1 litre of water) (strained after boiling) is a fungicide and insect repellent. 🧄
- Milk spray: a 1:2 mixture of milk and water is effective for the prevention and treatment of powdery mildew 🥛
- Physical protection:
- Mulch: Covering seedlings and seedlings with mulch protects them from early pests (e.g. ground ivy) and spring frosts. 🌬️
- Traps: the beer trap is effective against slugs, and the yellow sticky sheets are effective against winged aphids and thrips. 🍺
Masters of water management: mulching and drip irrigation 💦
One of the biggest challenges in growing vegetables is meeting water demand, especially in the hot, dry summer months. Optimising water use is key in a bio-intensive garden.
- Mulching: A thick layer of mulch (straw, haylage, compost) not only suppresses weeds but also retains soil moisture, so watering is less frequent. Mulch also protects the soil from drying out and sudden temperature changes. 🍂
- Drip irrigation: this is the most efficient irrigation method. This is the most efficient method of irrigation. The water is delivered directly to the root zone of the plant with minimal evaporation loss. This not only saves water but also reduces the risk of fungal diseases (e.g. peronospora) by keeping the foliage dry. 💧
Growing vegetables month by month: an example plan 🗓️
A good seeding plan and crop rotation are essential for successful biointensive gardening. The table below is a simple guide to sowing times for the most common vegetables.
| Vegetable family | Plants | Sowing time (Planting) | Casting time (Free country) | Features |
| Cabbages | Broccoli, Cauliflower, Kohlrabi, Cabbage, Brussels sprouts | February – March | March – April | A soil-rotating plant with high nutrient requirements. |
| Thumbs up | Green peas, Bok beans | No planting | March – June | It fixes nitrogen in the soil. It is an advantageous succession crop. |
| Root vegetables | Carrots, Parsley, Beetroot, Radishes | No planting | March – August | Do not plant root vegetables in a row. |
| Onions | Onion, Leek, Garlic | March | March – April | They have a protective effect, planted between the rows. |
| Tomatoes | Tomatoes, Peppers, Aubergines | February – April | May (after frosts) | Heat-demanding plants with high water requirements. |
| Mascots | Cucumber, Courgette, Pumpkin | April | May (after frosts) | They mulch well, the courgettes cover the bed quickly. |
The importance of crop rotation: do not plant the same crop family (e.g. cabbages) in the same area two years in a row! This will prevent soil depletion and the build-up of specific pests 🔄
Detailed annual gardening calendar: when, what to do in the garden? 📅
Successful vegetable production depends on planning. Below is a detailed month-by-month guide.
Winter (December, January, February): planning and preparations
- Planning: the most important period. The most important phase. 📝
- Planting: start planting slow-growing, heat-demanding crops (peppers, aubergines, celery) indoors in February. 🏡
- Soil test: if necessary, perform a soil test to determine pH and nutrient content 🔬
Spring (March, April, May): the awakening of the garden 🌸
- March: sowing of cold-tolerant vegetables (peas, spinach, radishes, carrots) in the open field. Spread the compost layer on the beds. 🥕
- April: spring cabbage seedlings (broccoli, cauliflower) can be planted. Sowing of beans and maize can also start. 🌽
- May: after the frosts, the heat-demanding seedlings (tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, courgettes) are released into the open. Start mulching. ☀️
Summer (June, July, August): intensive growth 🌞
- June: first harvests (radish, lettuce, spinach). Active period for weed control. After harvesting, the soil is loosened and new crops are sown in the vacated areas. 🥬
- July: peak garden season. Regular, deep watering, especially in the morning or evening. 🌡️
- August: the last harvests of summer crops (cucumbers, courgettes, tomatoes). Get ready for autumn sowing. 🥒
Autumn (September, October, November): autumn harvest and rest 🍂
- September: sowing autumn vegetables (lettuces, spinach, radishes, winter kohlrabi) 🧅
- October: harvest of root vegetables (beetroot, carrots, potatoes). Time to plant garlic. 🧄
- November: the last time to clean up the garden and compost. Preparing the soil for winter with mulch or green manure. 🥶
The benefits and joys of a bio-intensive garden 😊
Biointensive vegetable production is a true vocation that is worth the time and effort invested. The reward is not only the abundance of produce, but also the knowledge that we are growing chemical-free, healthy food. Plus, the gardener gets healthier thanks to fresh air and exercise 💚
We hope that this detailed guide will help you to get started with biointensive gardening or to improve your existing knowledge. If you have any questions about growing vegetables, please do not hesitate to contact us. 💌
