Where do you get all your No dig Material?

[4Shoes]

I've seen a few videos by Morag Gamble who has done no dig for many years. Not only is she lovely to listen to, but she seems really good at this no dig malarkey.
She recommends putting the paper/cardboard on top with just enough to hold it down, so that it doesn't separate the ground from the brown and green material you put on top. Sounds reasonable to me I suppose!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9Wq32IRrPQ

Yes, that is what I had in mind, but had forgotten you need to soak the card 1st.

[rary]

Good video Sarriss, unlike 4Shoes I don't need to worry about soaking the cardboard

[Snadger]

I've seen a few videos by Morag Gamble who has done no dig for many years. Not only is she lovely to listen to, but she seems really good at this no dig malarkey.
She recommends putting the paper/cardboard on top with just enough to hold it down, so that it doesn't separate the ground from the brown and green material you put on top. Sounds reasonable to me I suppose!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9Wq32IRrPQ

I would still class using a fork in my bare feet as (dangerous?)digging even though she isn't turning the soil. So her 'no-dig with a twist' is actually no-dig with digging.

[SarrissUK]

I would still class using a fork in my bare feet as (dangerous?)digging even though she isn't turning the soil. So her 'no-dig with a twist' is actually no-dig with digging.

haha yeah I did see that barefoot digging/loosening... and I won't bother with that. Her twist is the fact she places the newspaper on top, rather than on the bottom as most books and no dig sites suggests. And that seems logical to me - to put it on top, that is.

[veggiechicken]

I want to say no more forking allowed but it keeps sounding rude.

[Thelma Sanders]

Paper quickly rots wherever you put it tbh - unless you live somewhere incredibly dry

[bikermike]

you could call it the No Forking Way...

[4Shoes]

Good video Sarriss, unlike 4Shoes I don't need to worry about soaking the cardboard

Soaking the card allows it to mould to the bed easier. Couple years ago, I put some down and before the rain had totally soaked it, the wind lifted some of it and had to start again. Like you I didn't think I'd need to soak it.

[Snadger]

My take on it is by putting the cardboard on the bottom, usually in autumn when not much is growing anyway, and piling manure or other organic matter on top you are in effect using a controlled release of nutrients. The cardboard rots through the winter and allows the nutrients to fertilise the soil slowly when the plants can utilise the soil nutrients in the spring.

This isn't my reason for doing it though as nutrient's aren't what I am after. I am after weed free workable soil with very little effort.


I haven't watched the full video, but from what I can see she eases the soil with the fork each season before mulching?

I however do one initial dig prior to the first addition of mulch then the area is not dug any more after that.

[SarrissUK]

My take on it is by putting the cardboard on the bottom, usually in autumn when not much is growing anyway, and piling manure or other organic matter on top you are in effect using a controlled release of nutrients. The cardboard rots through the winter and allows the nutrients to fertilise the soil slowly when the plants can utilise the soil nutrients in the spring.

This isn't my reason for doing it though as nutrient's aren't what I am after. I am after weed free workable soil with very little effort.


I haven't watched the full video, but from what I can see she eases the soil with the fork each season before mulching?

I however do one initial dig prior to the first addition of mulch then the area is not dug any more after that.

I think I might trial this and see how it works for me on the new lottie... some with cardboard under, some with it over, and some with both perhaps lol

She only eases up the soil with a fork when starting a new bed on very compacted soil, if I recall correctly. I'm hoping not to 'ease' anything at all haha

[Snadger]

I think I might trial this and see how it works for me on the new lottie... some with cardboard under, some with it over, and some with both perhaps lol

She only eases up the soil with a fork when starting a new bed on very compacted soil, if I recall correctly. I'm hoping not to 'ease' anything at all haha

I think I might watch the rest of the video!

[Snadger]

Right, I've watched the whole video.

Nothing radical from what I can see. Sounds like she is in OZ so that could have a baring? She is adding liquid feed and a thin mulch then newspaper followed by a thick mulch of hay.

Mine gets cardboard and then whatever is available to mulch on top. Until mulch is applied I weight the cardboard down with bricks ,rocks or whatever is available,


Her method requires that you have everything available at once, mine doesn't!

[SarrissUK]

So my method is a mix of hers and your way of doing it. I'm gathering leaves like there's no tomorrow, but no matter how well I do in finding material, will there be enough for the entire plot lol It'll be what it will be

[Baldy]

I've got so much cardboard (+ wood chippings) this year that I've combined the two. Layer of cardboard on the ground - then a layer of woodchip and nasturtiums and any other recently killed off greenery & grass cuttings - then another layer of cardboard then soil spent compost and so one.

So there!

[Snadger]

I've got so much cardboard (+ wood chippings) this year that I've combined the two. Layer of cardboard on the ground - then a layer of woodchip and nasturtiums and any other recently killed off greenery & grass cuttings - then another layer of cardboard then soil spent compost and so one.

So there!

Cardboard lasagne gardening then!