Fruiting Vegetables

Fruiting crops reward attention to timing, balance, and care—with harvests that can anchor a whole season

Tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, beans, and melons are among the most productive—and demanding—crops in a garden or market farm. Fruiting Vegetables: A Grower's Guide offers clear, practical guidance for managing these crops successfully, using proven biointensive methods that support strong plants, steady yields, and healthy soils.

Rooted in The Market Gardener Method, this highly accessible, beautifully illustrated guide focuses on decisions that make the biggest difference: variety selection, timing, fertility, and crop care. Rather than treating each crop in isolation, it shows how fruiting vegetables fit into a well-planned, human-scale growing system.

What this Book Offers

An overview of major fruiting vegetable families, including cucurbits, legumes, and nightshades
Practical guidance on sowing, transplanting, spacing, and crop maintenance
Jean-Martin Fortier's preferred varieties, selected for productivity and flavor
Proven strategies for irrigation, fertility, pruning, and trellising
Clear advice on harvest timing, storage, and maintaining crop quality


This guide emphasizes working with plant biology and seasonal rhythms, helping growers reduce stress on crops while improving consistency and output.

Who this Book is For

Home gardeners growing a wide range of fruiting crops
Market gardeners refining production of high-value vegetables
Growers seeking reliable methods without high inputs
Readers of The Market Gardener wanting crop-specific information
Anyone aiming for healthier plants and more predictable harvests


Jean-Martin Fortier is a farmer, educator, and internationally respected voice in regenerative, small-scale agriculture. His experience managing diverse crops in challenging conditions informs every recommendation in this guide.

Fruiting Vegetables is part of the Grower's Guides from the Market Gardener series—compact, visually rich manuals designed to help growers build resilient, productive systems.

If you want fruiting crops that perform consistently and fit smoothly into a balanced growing plan, this guide shows you how.