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The Market Gardener

A Successful Grower’s Handbook for Small-Scale Organic Farming

By Jean-Martin Fortier

Les Jardins de la Grelinette is a micro-farm located in Eastern Quebec, just north of the American border. Growing on just 1.5 acres, owners Jean-Martin and Maude-Helene feed more than 200 families through their thriving CSA and seasonal market stands and supply their signature mesclun salad mix to dozens of local establishments. The secret of their success is the low-tech, high-yield production methods they’ve developed by focusing on growing better rather than growing bigger, making their operation more lucrative and viable in the process.

Learn how to succesfully plan, grow
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With more than 200,000 copies sold and buoyed by the international success of the first edition of The Market Gardener, A Successful Grower’s Handbook for Small-Scale Organic Farming, Jean-Martin Fortier has continued to perfect his diversified market gardening techniques and to test tools to optimize his organic crops on small surfaces in this second revised and expanded edition.

Now translated into 7 languages and the recipient of awards and rave reviews, The Market Gardener, A Successful Grower’s Handbook for Small-Scale Organic Farming remains a must-read for all those interested in small-scale organic agriculture. This type of agriculture contributes to the resilience of local communities and is capable of feeding the population while presenting itself as an alternative to the industrial agriculture that pollutes the planet and is harmful to our health.

Considered a reference in organic farming, this practical guide provides growing notes on more than 
25 vegetables and teaches you step-by-step how:

  • Choose a site location based on permaculture
  • Minimize start-up investments
  • Use alternative machinery to the tractor
  • Grow in permanent beds with a minimum tillage approach
  • Fertilize your crops organically
  • Controlling diseases and pests effectively
  • Weeding with the best tools
  • Extending the growing season
  • Develop a crop calendar
  • Good financial planning
Praise for the Market Gardener Masterclass
“With the Market Gardener Masterclass, whether it’s related to crop planning, tools, or various types of vegetable production, I like having an all-in-one place for referencing detailed strategies that have been tested and tried for others to review and put into practice – it really helps!”

— Yara Dowani, Om Sleiman Farm, Palestine
You can find so much information on the internet; there are so many resources it’s hard to know what to trust.
You can find so much information on the internet; there are so many resources it’s hard to know what to trust.
“The program has taught us how to identify weaknesses in our existing systems and improve workflows to optimize our time management.”

— Beth Satterwhite, Even Pull Farm, Oregon
Our gross sales have grown steadily by about $50K per year since we took the Masterclass.
Our gross sales have grown steadily by about $50K per year since we took the Masterclass.
“We started our season with a bang, and there is no way anyone in my position could have the success we have with our farm without taking JM’s masterclass. Not only is it extremely detailed, but it covers everything to make a successful business by simply logging on to your computer. Everything I learned about growing vegetables comes %100 from Mr. Fortier. Everything grows to perfection, and our clients are extremely happy.”

— Alexandre L'Heureux, The Happy Farm, Canada
I now grow my vegetables with the knowledge and confidence a farmer of 5-10 years would have.
I now grow my vegetables with the knowledge and confidence a farmer of 5-10 years would have.
“The Masterclass has taught us the techniques to maximize production on our small-scale farm while improving the overall health and quality of our soil. We have also learned how to prioritize crops that are of higher value, increasing the overall gross income of our farm. Though the cost of the course initially made us hesitate, we convinced ourselves that we would glean enough from the content that the improvements would pay for the course itself. It definitely has.”

— Amy Smith & Verena Varga, Heart Beet Organics, Canada
We have learned about tools and techniques that have made farming more efficient and more sustainable -- environmentally, financially -- and physically too!
We have learned about tools and techniques that have made farming more efficient and more sustainable -- environmentally, financially -- and physically too!
“Joining the masterclass has had a huge impact on how I approach my crop planning and has taught me how to gain more efficiency in order to boost my sales. It has also inspired me to support the creation of a national community for market gardeners here in Norway, which is growing very nicely.”

— Sofia Maria Bang Elm, Avdem Gardsgrøn, Norway
Compared to the first year, I now grow 3x more food in the same acreage compared to the first year and this is definitely because of what I've learned from the program.
Compared to the first year, I now grow 3x more food in the same acreage compared to the first year and this is definitely because of what I've learned from the program.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Where to buy the book

Meet the Author

Jean-Martin Fortier

Farmer, educator and award-winning author

Jean-Martin Fortier is a farmer, teacher, entrepreneur and author of best-seller, The Market Gardener. His work has inspired hundreds of thousands of people around the world to embrace a vision of agriculture that is human-scale, ecological, and nourishing for communities.

Lorem ipsum is a farmer, teacher, entrepreneur and author of best-seller, The Market Gardener. His work has inspired hundreds of thousands of people around the world to embrace a vision of agriculture that is human-scale, ecological, and nourishing for communities.

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