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  • #1

    No-Dig Allotment...

    My wife and I had been on the waiting list for an allotment for about 3 years, and to our good fortune she managed to become a co-worker on one with a friend-of-a-friend and I was allocated one by the council too!

    I was given an excellent book written by Charles Dowding on gardening without digging. It sounds pretty wacky at first but the principles are sound and he's been practicing it successfully for 20+ years.

    After reading the book I decided that my site would be a no-dig site. That was until I got the keys and saw it for the first time.....It must ahave been unused for at least 2 years!

    Since June I've done a fair bit of clearing and digging and 75% of the site is finished. I've already got some crops in for next year and there are spare beds ready for spring. I don't plan on digging these beds any further, other than to remove any remnants of bidweed/dock/dandelion that I missed the first time round. I'm keeping a photo diary of my progress here. The last quarter of the site is unused and I'm planning a DIY polytunnel for next year.

    Any other no-diggers out there?
    My 2014 No Dig Allotment
    My 2013 No Dig Allotment
    My 2012 No Dig Allotment
    My 2011 No Dig Allotment
    Tags: None
  • #2
    I don't dig if I can possibly get away with it but the first year I dug the whole plot over!
    Now whenever a crop is harvestd I mulch heavily and stick in another crop! Works fine!
    My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
    to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)

    Diversify & prosper


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    • #3
      Every thing is looking good there Lazgaot. Love all the photo's. I have been clearing an allotment this year ready for some serious veg growing come next year.

      People do grow excellent veg crops using a no dig system but like you say the soil does need that initial clearing and preperation. I have been growing veg for years on the veggie plot in the garden and although it is virtually weed free (except the annuals of course) I can't resist digging it over. There is something about working the soil that I find very therapeutic.

      Perhaps when I'm old and doddery I might switch to a no dig system but until then I just can't not dig. If nothing else, it is at least, good exercise.
      Last edited by snuffer; 10-12-2008, 09:22 AM. Reason: punctuation
      It is the doom of man, that they forget.

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      • #4
        Originally posted by snuffer View Post

        Perhaps when I'm old and doddery I might switch to a no dig system but until then I just can't not dig. If nothing else, it is at least, good exercise.
        It IS the old and the doddery who do the digging on our site! Bless em!
        My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
        to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)

        Diversify & prosper


        Comment

        • #5
          If I could no dig I would. The downside is where am I going to get several tonnes of muck from? Not to mention all for my favourite price!

          Until that happens I've got to dig to breakup heavy clay based soil and add what compost I can make each year. In about 20 years I'll probably have good enough soil...
          http://plot62.blogspot.com/

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          • #6
            i know it sounds daft, but i love the digging bit even if it is hard work, even now the beds are done and covered for the winter, i get the urge to go and pull up cardboard for 'one more dig'. its very relaxing in some ways.

            will change my tune no doubt in a few years.
            Vive Le Revolution!!!
            'Lets just stick it in, and see what happens?'
            Cigarette FREE since 07-01-09

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            • #7
              Originally posted by BrideXIII View Post
              i know it sounds daft, but i love the digging bit even if it is hard work, even now the beds are done and covered for the winter, i get the urge to go and pull up cardboard for 'one more dig'. its very relaxing in some ways.

              will change my tune no doubt in a few years.
              Me too bride........sad innit? I must profess to having a bit of a tickle now and again!
              My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
              to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)

              Diversify & prosper


              Comment

              • #8
                Hi Lazgaot

                I'm working towards no-dig gardening, I find this site really interesting Good Gardeners - home

                Tracey
                Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.

                Michael Pollan

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by Snadger View Post
                  Me too bride........sad innit? I must profess to having a bit of a tickle now and again!
                  well i suppose up until this year i have been 'no dig', cos it was all in containers, but the digging over of the lawn gave me a real sense of 'proper gardening', not that containers aren't, but you know what i mean.
                  Vive Le Revolution!!!
                  'Lets just stick it in, and see what happens?'
                  Cigarette FREE since 07-01-09

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