Jean-Martin Fortier

Living Soil

Healthy soil isn't an input—it's a living system you can learn to cultivate Strong harvests begin below the surface. Living Soil: A Grower's Guide shows gardeners and small-scale farmers how to build fertile, resilient soil that supports productive crops year after year—without relying on high-input fixes or extractive practices. Grounded in The Market Gardener Method, this highly illustrated guide translates soil science into clear, practical decisions you can apply immediately, whether you're improving a backyard garden or managing a diversified market farm. The focus is on understanding how soil functions—and how to work with biology rather than against it. What this Book Offers A clear explanation of soil structure, organic matter, minerals, and microbial life Practical ways to assess soil health, from simple field observations to basic testing Proven low- and no-till techniques that protect soil structure and biology Strategies for composting, mulching, crop rotation, and green manures Long-term approaches to maintaining fertility while reducing labor and inputs Rather than prescribing one-size-fits-all solutions, this guide helps you make informed choices based on your soil, crops, and climate—building systems that improve over time. Who this Book is For Gardeners who want healthier plants and more consistent yields Market growers seeking durable, regenerative production systems Farmers reducing tillage and external inputs Readers of The Market Gardener looking to deepen their soil practice Anyone interested in working with living ecosystems, not against them Jean-Martin Fortier is a farmer, educator, and internationally recognized leader in biointensive, human-scale agriculture. Through decades of hands-on growing and teaching, he has helped thousands of growers improve productivity while restoring soil health. Living Soil is part of the Grower's Guides from the Market Gardener series—practical, visually rich manuals designed to help growers take meaningful steps toward more resilient food systems. If you want soil that grows stronger—and more productive—every season, this guide shows you where to start.