Grow More Food

Grow More Food (Colin McCrate & Brad Halm)

Grow More Food is a practical, systems-based guide to producing high yields from small spaces using biointensive and organic growing methods. Colin McCrate and Brad Halm focus on soil health, efficient spacing, and intentional crop planning to help growers maximize production while improving long-term fertility. It’s especially valuable for backyard growers, market gardeners, and anyone aiming to increase food output without expanding land use.

Key Characteristics

• Biointensive Growing for Maximum Yield
  The book emphasizes close spacing, interplanting, and efficient bed design to produce more food in less space. These methods help create dense, productive gardens while reducing weed pressure and water loss.
• Soil-First Approach to Fertility
  Strong focus on building living soil through composting, cover cropping, and organic amendments. Healthy soil is treated as the foundation for consistent yields and resilient plants.
• Seasonal Crop Planning and Succession
  Teaches how to plan plantings across the growing season to keep beds continuously productive. Succession planting strategies ensure a steady harvest rather than a single flush.
• Practical Techniques for Everyday Growers
  Covers bed preparation, transplanting, direct seeding, irrigation, and crop maintenance in a clear, actionable way. The guidance is grounded in real production experience.
• Adaptable for Backyard or Small-Scale Farming
  The systems scale well from small home gardens to market gardens. It’s particularly useful for those looking to grow a significant portion of their own food or produce for local markets.

Product Details

• Format: Paperback
• Subject: Vegetable gardening, biointensive growing, soil health
• Recommended Use: Garden planning, increasing yields, small-scale food production
• Skill Level: Beginner to intermediate
• Language: English
• Illustrations: Photos, diagrams, and garden planning visuals

Growing & Use Notes

Use this book during garden planning and throughout the season. Start by improving soil and bed layout, then layer in succession planting and intercropping techniques. Over time, these methods can significantly increase both yield and soil quality in the same space.