French intensive gardening

– **History**:
– French intensive gardening originated in 1500s Paris.
– Moreau and Daverne’s manual from 1845, known as La Culture Maraîchère, documented traditional techniques.
– William Robinson introduced the method to English speakers in 1869.
– Peter Kropotkin popularized the practice in 1899.
– Alan Chadwick and John Jeavons brought the technique to the U.S. in the 1960s and 1970s.

– **Establishment**:
– Bed layouts in French intensive gardening are crucial for creating micro climates.
– Raised beds are a common feature, with heights adjusted based on climate.
– Soil preparation involves compost or manure incorporation and double-digging.
– Proper soil prep aids in companion planting success.
– Companion planting optimizes space and involves intercropping, trap-cropping, and companion planting.

– **Modern Applications**:
– French intensive gardening is adaptable for urban and home gardeners with limited space.
– Small for-profit operations like SPIN utilize French intensive techniques for market gardening.

– **See also**:
– Biointensive agriculture is related to French intensive gardening.
– Square foot gardening is another popular gardening method.

– **References**:
– Jenny Flores’ book ‘French Intensive Gardening: Optimizing Your Output’.
– Juliette Anglade et al.’s study on organic market gardening around Paris.
– Eliot Coleman’s book ‘The Winter Harvest Handbook’.
– John Jeavons’ book ‘How to Grow More Vegetables’.
– Information about SPIN-Farming for small-scale intensive gardening.