I love to explore the many different gardening methods – each one has something to teach.
Even if you don’t use the BI (bio-intensive) method you should be familiar with it.
It is the standard benchmark for what is takes to sustainably grow food on a human-powered scale. It has been in development for over 35 years and is used all over the world.
It is the most completely documented and well researched of all the various gardening methods.
As you know, I teach that growing animal products is easier than vegetables. The BI method quantifies exactly what it takes to grow a vegetarian diet. So right from the get-go, I am not a proponent of using this system for your complete diet.
I’ve done hundreds of interviews, farm visits, and discussions with organic farmers, homesteaders, and people who get their food directly from working with the earth – they all have a copy of the BI gardening book in their libraries. And they use at least some of the techniques of the BI method.
Yes, it is that important.
You know, that word ‘sustainably’ has been bandied around so much lets take a moment to define it. Sustainably is defined here as the ability for you to grow food for your family for generations to come under the conditions that all the stores are closed.
So the BI method is an excellent resource for those who are interested in sustainability, and for those who are preppers.
Homework
Construct at least 3 seed trays to start seedlings in. Make two of them 14″x12″ and 3″ deep. Make one of them 14″x12″ by 6″ deep. Many people use old cedar fence boards or other scrap wood.
*Note the bottom is slatted with a bit of room for excess water to drain out, but not too wide for soil to be lost. You can review what the flat looks like in video 2 above, or see a diagram of a seedling flat is in chapter 5 of the “How To Grow More Vegetables” book (available for purchase below).
Resources:
There is a special in-depth interview with John Jeavons, the founder of the bio-intensive gardening method that you have access to because you are an inner circle member. During the interview, these topics are discussed:
- How many humans the earth has resources to feed, and a specific date for when the carrying capacity will be exceeded.
- How the Bio-Intensive method is superior for growing soil.
- Why aquaponics is not a good solution for food production (from Jeavon’s perspective).
- Recommendations for home gardeners dealing with Fukushima radioactive fallout, Geo-engineering toxins, and pollution from industry.
- Best locations for surviving collapse scenarios.
Here is the link to listen or download the members only interview with John Jeavons
**Purchase his book “How to Grow More Vegetables” here! This is an optional purchase, but one that I highly recommend!