No Dig

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

 

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...

 

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...

 

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

 

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

Steve...

 

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.


Home made compost.


Compost layered on, pathways trampled.


Clearer view.

Steve...

 

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







Steve...

 

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.




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


Easier to see the three layers here.




Pathway trampled in now and ned complete

Steve...

 

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







Steve...

 

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







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...

 

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

 

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

Will he have to dig it all out?

 

Great garden @Steve R !