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Dig? No-Dig?

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  • #1

    Dig? No-Dig?

    Sorry, me again.

    I have been reading some fascinating articles around the supposed wonders of the No-Digging method of gardening. Thinking that i may use this method on my new plot.

    Would be interesting to hear any comments from you all; are some of you using the No-Dig method now as opposed to back breakingly turning your plot over all time?

    Has anyone noticed a difference in crops and volumes using the No-Dig method too?

    Be really interested to hear.

    *Sorry if this has been covered before and we are going over old ground (pun intended).
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  • #2
    I did dig over to clear weeds when I first got my allotment, but the only digging I do now is to plant and then harvest potatoes as the rotation moves around the plot.

    So I'm neither a manic digger or a complete no-digger

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    • #3
      Originally posted by Thelma Sanders View Post
      I did dig over to clear weeds when I first got my allotment, but the only digging I do now is to plant and then harvest potatoes as the rotation moves around the plot.

      So I'm neither a manic digger or a complete no-digger
      Are you only growing spuds?

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      • #4
        No, the veg plot is made up of 8 narrow beds - the front one is permanently flowers
        Then there's 2 for spuds 2 for brassicas and 2 for sweetcorn/squash/peas/odds and s0ds and the last one is fruit

        So a only quarter of the plot is dug each year
        Last edited by Thelma Sanders; 19-03-2013, 02:43 PM. Reason: forgot to pea

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        • #5
          Originally posted by Thelma Sanders View Post
          No, the veg plot is made up of 8 narrow beds - the front one is permanently flowers
          Then there's 2 for spuds 2 for brassicas and 2 for sweetcorn/squash/peas/odds and s0ds and the last one is fruit

          So a only quarter of the plot is dug each year
          I have thought about creating an area to attract bees etc for part of my plot but im worried that i will get carried away with all veggies! Will try and make sure i leave some space....

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          • #6
            I am going to try the no dig rule from now on. I think you have much healthier soil, just keep adding a good mulch of home-made compost and the worms will do all the hard work. I used to dig but you just bring all the really clogged up clay to the surface and lose all the good topsoil. Charles has made my mind up with his articles in GW and GYO magazines

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            • #7
              I am going for the no-dig method. I've only had my plot a few months. It had been cultivated last year and I cleared the last of the weeds. We then rotovated the lot but is now marked out with string into paths and beds. I have 4 beds which are 4ft across and 2 which are 6ft across. At the weekend I spread well rotted manure over most of them and the plan is to go no-dig from now on.

              There are a couple of plot holders on my allotment who follow Charles Dowding's methods and seeing it in action and knowing it can work has given me the confidence to give it a go. One of them has been doing it for 5 years.

              I have bought the Charles Dowding book on my kindle and am slowly making my way through it.
              Likac66

              Living in her own purple world

              Loving gardening, reading, knitting and crochet.

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              • #8
                We have lived in our house for over 30 years. I stopped digging about 20 years ago and now compost everything in preference to digging. Leaves, shredded branches etc fill three compost heaps... plus two daleks for kitchen waste.

                I hoe weeds and pick up the worst.. err and hoe scratches in the ground to plant seeds.. and dig small holes for potatoes and make raked up heaps for rows,.

                My spade and fork are growing rusty.

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by Jackbb View Post
                  I have thought about creating an area to attract bees ...Will try and make sure i leave some space....
                  You don't need to have a dedicated area, in fact it would be better if the bees could travel about all over your plot to feed (they'll visit more of your veggies then, for pollination).

                  Look at my Flickr album: I let the flowers come up wherever they like, and I only pull them up if they're seriously in the way

                  bumble on chive | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

                  bee on comfrey | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

                  white limnanthes | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

                  white_fox | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
                  All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Likac66 View Post
                    I have bought the Charles Dowding book on my kindle and am slowly making my way through it.
                    Likac66 what book is that? Tried searching on Kindle app and nothing shows for him.

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                    • #11
                      Charles Dowding is THE dog of no dig

                      http://www.amazon.co.uk/Organic-Gard...3787001&sr=8-2
                      All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Two_Sheds View Post
                        Charles Dowding is THE dog of no dig

                        http://www.amazon.co.uk/Organic-Gard...3787001&sr=8-2
                        Agreed. Will have to procure a book or two.
                        Shame hes not the dog of having his work published electronically though.

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                        • #13
                          He's an organic gardener, not an electronicker.


                          And, you can take a book down the lotty and make notes in the margins. Yer Kindles and yer iPads are no good once you've dropped them in the mud, but a book will live to tell the tale
                          Last edited by Two_Sheds; 20-03-2013, 02:12 PM.
                          All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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                          • #14
                            I blame the publishers not the gardener.

                            Getting cracking tomorrow - can't wait! The margins might not be wide enough for all my notes...

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Post Its. Don't tell me there are Kindle post-its too
                              All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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