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How to Get Started on No-dig Gardening

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If you are one of those who have laboured to dig and till over a large vegetable plot, the no-dig system may be right for you. The ease of the no-dig system is growing popularity among gardening enthusiasts, who feel it's more closer to nature.
As the name implies, instead of turning over a bare plot, a layer of organic matter such as compost or manure is spread over the surface.
In time the compost layer is pulled down by earthworms to mix it up with the topsoil which improves the soil's fertility.
The layer of compost will protect the soil surface from the sun and wind, keeping it moist and helping to even out temperature variations. At the same time it also help to protect the soil from the rain which can spoil soil structure and form a hard, impenetrable cap on the surface.

Plan and Prepare Ahead

A simple compost bed like this could yield good returns.Determine the size of your plot and obtain enough good quality organic matter to fill it. You may need to find a supplier of manure or other organic matter. Be sure to find those that do delivery to your garden.
Keep in mind that materials which are not rotted, such as fresh straw, will take nutrients out of the soil. Make sure these are kept out of the compost.
Be sure to weed your plot beforehand, preferably in the fall. For a plot less than 5 feet by 15 feet, spread layers of wet newspaper or cardboard, then build up alternating layers of compost and grass clippings with layers of shredded newspapers or chopped leaves until the layers are about 1/2 foot deep. Let the bed decompose for the winter and it will be ready for planting in spring.
Although not essential, most plots will benefit from a low border of rot-resistant wooden planks or bricks set around the edge to keep the deep compost in place, particularly because it builds up over several years. A system of pathways or planks on the beds is necessary to avoid walking on the soil and compacting it.
After the growing season, rake over the bed, thereby mixing some of the underlying soil into the organic matter on top.
The no-dig system is most successful on soil where plenty of organic matter is available.
If weeds are a problem, you'll need to persevere in the first few years. Once the original weed seeds have sprouted, new ones are not brought up with digging, so the problem will lessen with time.
Digging can also help the soil by introducing air into it. Heavy soil can begin to suffer after a few years of no digging, or lack of it. If you have heavy soil, this system might not be right for you.


More No-dig gardening information.
No Dig Vegetable Garden
treehugger - A Discovery Company
Gardening at the Crossroads
Gardening Australia
Find out more about no-dig gardening. Read these great books.
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Thank you for visiting. Comments are much appreciated.

  • RawBill Sep 19, 2011 @ 2:12 am | delete
    Great advice you have here. I am a big fan of no dig gardening. I built a vegetable garden using this method in my "From Lawn To Food Forest" Lens and since I have moved house have just built another one which is currently a Lens in progress. I create a lot of my own compost through massive amounts of compostable food scraps that we get as well as mushroom compost that I have bought.
  • non_sequitur Sep 19, 2011 @ 10:57 am | delete
    Thank you for visiting me lens. I do some gardening during summer and no-dig is always my preferred method.
  • goo2eyes Sep 12, 2011 @ 3:29 pm | delete
    i got a small piece of vegetable garden. i put the grass trimmings in the corner but the problem is that the snails are invading my garden. they eat and help compost the grass but they multiply quite fast.
  • non_sequitur Sep 19, 2011 @ 10:56 am | delete
    Thanks for visiting my lens. Farm products stores should be able to give you some advice on how to tackle the garden snails.
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