Market garden producing seasonal vegetables for guests and community at Starbase18 B&B

Market garden

Starting from plowed bare soil, we built a no-dig vegetable garden using self-made compost and forest soil. We now grow our own organic fruits and vegetables on 200m2 of beds, supported by drip irrigation and fencing. The next step: expanding to feed ourselves and our guests.

One step closer to food independency

Market garden

At the start, the site was completely empty with no fertile soil, without local recourses or compost at hand, we decided to make fertile compost ourselves. This made it necessary to create fertility from scratch using what was locally available.

We built our own composting system and add all sorts of biomass like food scraps, coffee grounds, wood chips, and manure from goats, sheep, and horses. To speed up soil improvement, we also transplanted some forest soil rich in organic life to kickstart the ecosystem in the beds. The first 100m2 of no-dig growing beds were formed by layering compost and organic matter directly on the ground, following a method that reduces soil disturbance and retain organic matter and moisture.

To diversify, we added a second plot specifically for growing potatoes. A manual drip irrigation system was installed to deliver water directly to plant roots, reducing waste and protecting against dry summer months. To keep goats and wild animals out, we built fencing around the garden, ensuring plants can grow without being eaten.

The result: we now eat vegetables and fruits we’ve grown ourselves, fully organic and full of flavour, with no external inputs. The garden not only feeds us but demonstrates practical ecological gardening to guests and visitors.

Future plans include expanding the garden to achieve near total self-sufficiency for our household, and scaling up enough to share fresh produce with guests staying in the apartments. We also aim to organize planting schedules and automate watering, to keep the system running efficiently through seasonal changes and peak demand periods.

Market Garden, Organic Fruits and Vegetables
No-Dig Vegetable Garden with Self-Made Compost
This image showcases a no-dig vegetable garden built on 100m2 of beds using self-made compost and forest soil. The garden is supported by drip irrigation and fencing, and it currently grows organic fruits and vegetables for the homeowner and their guests. The next step: expanding to feed themselves and their guests.
no-dig vegetable garden, self-made compost, organic fruits and vegetables, drip irrigation, fencing
No-Dig Vegetable Garden: Building a Healthy Market Garden with Self-Made Compost and Forest Soil
Explore the process of transforming bare ground into a thriving no-dig vegetable garden. Learn how to grow your own organic fruits and vegetables on 100 square meters, supported by drip irrigation and fencing. The next step: expanding to feed yourself and your guests.
Gardening, Organic Farming, No-dig Garden, Market Garden, Self-made Compost, Forest Soil, Drip Irrigation, Fencing, Vegetable Garden Expansion
Bare Ground to Market Garden: A Success Story of an Organic Vegetable Garden
Discover how a small backyard was transformed into a thriving market garden with no-dig techniques and self-made compost. The garden produces 100m2 of organic fruits and vegetables, supported by drip irrigation and fencing. Next steps: expanding to feed ourselves and our guests.
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