Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Intensive Production Possibilities
When we plant, we cram our garden to the maximum. Because we regularly apply compost, mulch,
and amendments to our garden, we keep the soil fertility at a high level. This means we can space
our rows closer together and grow more in a smaller amount of space. Our chores of planting,
weeding, and harvesting are all done by hand so the garden rows don't need to be kept far enough
apart to accommodate tractor tires. Last season we barely had space to walk between the rows.
The other aspect of intensive production we employ is to tie and trellis many of our vegetables,
growing them vertically. I hand tie my little cucumber plants if they don't find the trellis on their
own, and weave my tomatoes through the cages and fence. It's no trouble at all when I'm already
walking through the garden and weeding or tending it anyway.
This hands-on attention just isn't possible on a large-scale farm. Chapters 4 and 7 will share more
secrets for maximizing your garden space.
While there are certainly a huge variety of benefits ranging from economical to health-conscious,
for me one of the biggest benefits is the sense of accomplishment that comes from achieving
something on this magnitude. Sitting down to a meal that was produced almost entirely in
your backyard is an amazing feeling. Seeing your children learn to respect the value of life is
eye-opening.
Teaching your children the benefits of healthy eating is easier when your day-to-day activities give you a
chance to show hands-on appreciation for hard work and good food.
(Photo courtesy of Tim Sackton)
