What is No Dig Growing?
No-dig gardening is a particular kind of gardening hat has gained popularity in recent years (largely due to Earthed teacher Charles Dowding) and has a lot to offer for soil health and those that depend on it (all of us).
It’s an organic way of growing plants, and the principle is simple; leave the ground as undisturbed as possible and you’ll end up with less pests, healthier plants and a healthy vibrant soil community.
What are the benefits of no-dig gardening?
Rather than digging the soil to remove weeds, the no-dig method promotes adding garden compost or manure to the surface of the soil. This emulates the natural processes in an ecosystem, as leaves fall to the ground, break down and incorporate into the soil. By doing this, the structure of the soil is also maintained, leaving worms and other soil-dwelling organisms undisturbed and the ecosystem intact.
Other benefits include having bigger harvests. In trials, no-dig beds have been shown to produce bigger veg harvests than those that are dug over.
How long does it take to set up No Dig Growing?
In fact, the opposite is true. Once setup, a no-dig system can be incredibly time efficient. This is because in the long run you will need to spend much less time digging and weeding. No-dig works on the principle that healthy, covered soils are less weedy because weeds are most present in soil that needs healing.
Getting Started with No Dig Growing
Charles Dowding is an expert when it comes to no-dig, and has influenced a community of regenerative growers for decades. If you’d like to get started with a no-dig veg patch or bed, head over to earthed.co to take part in Charles Dowding’s Earthed Course.
In this course you will:
– Learn the basics to the no dig method
– Build and manage your own no dig garden bed
– Build and manage your own compost heap
– Grow your own organic produce
– Retain soil carbon
– Restore soil health
– Reduce chemical fertilisers
– Reduce chemical pesticides
