What is no-dig gardening?
A simple way to grow food by working with the soil, not against it. No-dig improves soil health, reduces weeds and saves time by leaving the soil ecosystem intact.
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No-dig gardening is an organic way of growing. It involves leaving the ground as undisturbed as possible in order to have less pests, healthier plants and a healthy vibrant soil community. It is a method that has become popular in recent years and has many benefits for soil health and those that depend on it.
No-dig gardening means no digging, turning or lifting the soil. Instead, it focuses on covering the ground with organic matter, like compost, and then growing directly into this.
What are the benefits?
The no-dig method promotes adding garden compost or manure to the surface of the soil. This imitates 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. Healthy, covered soils are less weedy because weeds are most present in poor soil conditions.
Less digging means less physical work, fewer weeds to manage, and more time enjoying your garden.
How long does it take?
Once set up, 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.
How to get started
If you’d like to get started with a no-dig veg patch or bed, no-dig expert Charles Dowding has some easy steps to follow:
- Start by covering grass with cardboard, then adding a thick layer of compost
- Use brown sheets of cardboard with minimal ink and remove metal clips and tape
- Plant into the top of your compost and mulch around your plants
- Over time, the soil will become a haven for worms, which will help to loosen the soil and keep it aerated.
The best time of year to convert to a no-dig system (or turn an area of lawn into a veg patch) is in the late autumn after your final harvests.
Mycorrhizae in the soil
You may sometimes see white strands within the soil. These are likely to be mycorrhizal fungi, which are safe and beneficial. Most plant roots team up with fungal networks working in partnership. The fungi feed off sugars from the roots, whilst the plant uses the expansive fungal network to receive nutrients and water beyond its own catchment. These delicate networks are doomed to die if the soil is turned, particularly as the fungi can’t tolerate exposure to the air.
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