from the soil. In the GROW BIOINTENSIVE method, after
harvesting heavy feeders you can return phosphorus and
potassium to the soil in the form of compost.
To return nitrogen to the soil, grow heavy givers.
Heavy givers are nitrogen-xing plants or legumes, such
as peas, beans, alfalfa, clover, and vetch. Fava beans are
also good for this purpose. Not only do they bring large
amounts of nitrogen into the soil, they also excrete
substances that help eradicate tomato wilt–causing
organisms.
After heavy givers, plant light feeders (all root crops)
to give the soil a rest before the next heavy feeder
onslaught. Three vegetables are low nitrogen lovers:
turnips (a light feeder), sweet potatoes (a light feeder),
and green peppers (a heavy feeder of nutrients other
than nitrogen). The 2 light feeders would normally be
planted after heavy givers, which put a lot of nitrogen
into the soil. You may nd it useful to have them follow
a heavy feeder instead. It would also be good to have
green peppers follow a heavy feeder. (They normally
come after a heavy giver and a light feeder.)^4 You should
experiment with these out-of-sequence plantings.
In space—Companion planting of heavy feeders, heavy
givers, and light feeders can be done in the same
growing area, or space, at the same time. For example,
corn, beans, and beets can be intermingled in the same
bed. Just as with companion planting over time, you
should proceed with care. In this combination, the beans