No Dig

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by Steve R, Dec 15, 2018.

  1. Redwing

    Redwing Wild Gardener

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    Ha....you still have to dig out the weeds.:rasp:
     
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    • Steve R

      Steve R Soil Furtler

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      It is, it goes against everything we have learned as gardeners and through our lives. Even with the two tiny patches I have played with, it was hard to not dig.

      Steve...:)
       
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      • Steve R

        Steve R Soil Furtler

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        With the first year cardboard and deep compost mulch, you smother the weeds, any that do grow through that or come from the compost/manure, are hoed off. But there are nowhere near the amount of weeds you get after digging soil.

        Steve...:)
         
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        • Freddy

          Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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          I for one will be interested to see how it goes. Do come back to us and give us your verdict :thumbsup:
           
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          • Steve R

            Steve R Soil Furtler

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            I'll be photographing and recording as I go through this season Freddy.

            Steve...:)
             
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            • Steve R

              Steve R Soil Furtler

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              Back at the start of April, I started covering the layered manure on the No Dig bed with home made compost. Between 4 to 6 inches of it, I then trampled down some walkways. Yes, even the walkways are mulched to help keep the weeds down.

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              Home made compost.

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              Compost layered on, pathways trampled.

              [​IMG]
              Clearer view.

              Steve...:)
               
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              • Steve R

                Steve R Soil Furtler

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                10 days later (20th April) and first plantings now done, lettuce's on the left and herbs in the middle.

                [​IMG]

                [​IMG]

                [​IMG]

                Steve...:)
                 
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                • Steve R

                  Steve R Soil Furtler

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                  4th May, and I realise I will need more No Dif area to complete a proper trial as far as I am concerned, so I add another strip and photograph as I do it.

                  [​IMG]

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                  Cardboard layed over bare compacted and dried out ground, layer of half rotted manure and then layer of compost on that.

                  [​IMG]
                  Easier to see the three layers here.

                  [​IMG]

                  [​IMG]
                  Pathway trampled in now and ned complete

                  Steve...:)
                   
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                  • Steve R

                    Steve R Soil Furtler

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                    And the next daay I decide to add another strip as I still have materials to make it.

                    [​IMG]

                    [​IMG]

                    [​IMG]

                    Steve...:)
                     
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                    • Steve R

                      Steve R Soil Furtler

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                      And on the 7th May I planted most of it up.

                      [​IMG]

                      [​IMG]

                      [​IMG]

                      I planted Celeriac, Beetroot (3 varieties), Spring Onions, Shallots and some cabbage. I also sowed some peas into it along with some Kohl Rabi.

                      Framework is in place for French beans and Tomatos which will be added in the coming weeks. Some space remains for summer lettuces to be planted later.

                      Steve...:)
                       
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                      • Verdun

                        Verdun Passionate gardener

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                        Like it Steve :)
                        Lots of compost laid on my veg patch....well, everywhere ...ornamental too....over the winter. Since seed sowing and planting I have mulched 8 cm or so thick between the rows and I have done this for several years now.
                        It works as far as I’m concerned:)
                         
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                        • JWK

                          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                          Sadly he has been hit by herbicide contaminated manure, on some shavings swept up off stable floor that went through his compost heap. It's difficult to believe that Aminopyralid is still causing problems some 10 years after it first caused so much devastation to gardens across the country, mine included:
                           
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                          • Scrungee

                            Scrungee Well known for it

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                            I thought he grew organically, doesn't this mean he'll lose his soil association accreditation?

                            Will he have to dig :yikes: it all out?
                             
                          • Redwing

                            Redwing Wild Gardener

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