Jeavons' biointensive model is mostly directed at small, subsistence type gardens and it has been wildly successful helping growers in developing countries like Kenya. Biointensive requires labor and don't necessarily scale easily -- for example, planting in extremely close-set hexagonal patterns rather than rows makes drip irrigation difficult to install and makes weeding with a hoe mostly impossible. So here at Synergy, the farmers have done all they can to adopt the aspects of biointensive that make the most sense and tweak other pieces to fit the requirements of a market garden.
One of the parts of biointensive that we do use, that's different from some other types of farming is the process of "flatting and pricking out." Many farmers sow seeds directly into the ground, sometimes by hand, often with a tractor with a seeder attachment or another type of tool.
Instead, we plant our seeds into 3'' by 14'' by 23'' flats. Once the seedlings have reached a good size (their cotelydon leaves -- or "seed leaves" -- are up, and their roots are well developed, but not too long, we transplant or "prick out" these seedlings into a deeper flat 6'' by 14'' by 11.5.''
This process of seeding, pricking out, and then transplanting into a bed accomplishes a few different things. The first four are things Jeavons notes in his most famous gardening book, the last one is something we've taken advantage of here on the farm.
- Even spacing means better growing conditions for plants: seeding into flats, pricking out, and then transplanting ensures that each plant has equal space and equal access to sunlight, nutrients, and water
- Double selection means healthier plants in the garden: By selecting for the healthiest seedlings during pricking out, and then again during transplanting, you ensure that you're picking the best squash or peas or cucumber plants for your garden. This way, you won't end up with wasted garden space;
- Saving water: Starting seeds in flats uses less water than direct seeding.
- Transplanting stimulates plant growth: Moving seedlings into a new environment with fresh, loose soil means they have a chance to snack on fresh nutrients in new dirt that hasn't yet been compacted.
- Many flats can live in flathouses or coldframes, which is an easy and economical way to lengthen the growing season: Flatting seeds and keeping them warm in our flathouse allows us to get a headstart on some plants weeks before the outdoor soil temperatures (and even greenhouse temperatures) are high enough.




Then I carefully use the widger (or maybe this is the best name ever?) to lever out a seedling.
Its roots are intact, but not too long -- they haven't started compacting or crowding too much with the other plants -- just in time for pricking out!


The little seedling is placed into its new hole in the deep flat and I fill in the space around it. The stem is buried slightly to provide extra support, but I make sure to keep all the "growing parts" above the soil.

One deep flat finished, 2.5 to go!
These flats will go back into the flathouse for a couple more weeks until they're ready to be hardened off (kept outside to get used to the weather) and planted

One deep flat finished, 2.5 to go!

what you are doing is absolutely amazing. I admire your vision and passion into doing what you do- the world needs more people like you!
ReplyDeleteare you growing any swiss chard or aguila?
Thanks Jodie! I really do hope that more young folks get into farming, especially here in the states. I am having so much fun doing this I feel lucky to have found such a wonderful farm where I can learn.
ReplyDeleteWe do grow chard -- right now we're growing a variety of rainbow chard called Bright Lights -- it's absolutely gorgeous -- the stems are sun yellow, bright pink, deep red, egg-yolk orange. Arugula is pretty much finished -- the plants have bolted (they've become mature, started to grow little flowers, and become very bitter) which happens when the weather gets hotter.
Jess, I wish u could stay in Cambodia longer, so I could read about ur opinions of being here. I read all of ur posts in the other one, but it's okay, I like this one as well. That's sad you had to leave, really!
ReplyDeleteNathary,
PS: I used to comment about Raja before, remember?
Hi Nathary! Yes, I remember you! I hope to get back to Cambodia someday, but I'm glad that you're interested in farming too.
ReplyDeleteLollin' at widger and dibber! So, how does the water meter work? Like, how does it determine how damp the soil is?
ReplyDelete