Small-Plot Intensive Vegetable Production (SPIN Farming)

VegetablesFood System
Written By Steven Biggs

Worm Castings

Wally Satzewich joins us from Saskatchewan to tell us about Small-Plot Intensive Farming (SPIN Farming.)

Having studied psychology and ran a taxi franchise, Wally became interested in market gardening.

So he bought a farm.

But a conventional market garden wasn’t the right fit for him. That’s because a big operation requires hired help and capital outlay for equipment.

So Wally and his wife Gail sold the farm—and moved back to the city. To farm—to farm other people’s yards.

And in the process, Wally mapped out a system of best practices called SPIN farming (Small Plot Intensive farming.)

Today he tells us his journey, and what he’s learned along the way.

We talk about:

  • Running the 20-acre market garden

  • Downsizing and setting up in the city

  • The SPIN model and variations on it

  • Comparing SPIN farming to commodity farming

  • Using the SPIN model in small towns

  • Top tips for new urban and SPIN farmers

 
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Steven Biggs

Recognized by Garden Making Magazine as one of the "green gang" of Canadians making a difference in horticulture, Steven Biggs is a horticulturist, former college instructor, and award-winning broadcaster and author. His passion is helping home gardeners grow food in creative and attractive ways.


He’s the author of eight gardening books, including the Canadian bestseller No Guff Vegetable Gardening. His articles have appeared in Canada’s Local Gardener, Mother Earth News, Fine Gardening, Garden Making, Country Guide, Edible Toronto, and other magazines.


Along with over 30 years working in the horticultural sector and a horticultural-science major at the University of Guelph, Steven’s experience includes hands-on projects in his own garden including wicking beds, driveway strawbale gardens, and a rooftop tomato plantation—to the ongoing amusement of neighbours.


When not in the garden, you might catch him recording his award-winning Food Garden Life podcast or canoeing in Algonquin Park.

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