No-dig gardening 101
If you’re a gardening lover searching for ways to make the hobby easier then look no further because no-dig gardens might just be the perfect solution.
What is no-dig gardening?
No-dig gardening works on the same premise as regenerative farming, only on a smaller scale. With this method of cultivation, things like digging and tilling are viewed as damaging and advised against, unlike regular gardening which is generally started with a fresh till every single year.
Why you should start a no-dig garden
As if the no-dig aspect isn’t enough to get gardeners excited, there are many benefits to this method of cultivation which is why so many people and farmers are making the switch.
Save time and energy
Though no-dig gardens do take time and dedication to get started, it requires little to no effort at all to keep them going after a healthy launch. No longer will you need to lug out a heavy rototiller, nor will you have to get to shovel bending work.
Spend less money
No dig gardens feed themselves, and because they’re healthier, they also hold onto water better and for longer, which means that you won’t need to add any of those expensive nutrients, and you’ll get a lower water bill out of the deal. This kind of gardening might require a few purchases like compost to begin, but once they’re flourishing, it costs next to nothing to keep them going strong year after year.
Environmental impact & plant health
A no-dig garden is a wonderful place to raise any sort of plant because they have the ability to feed off of readily available nutrients that are already present in the soil. Small micro-organisms ensure improved aeration increasing the oxygen supply for healthy root systems, and they’ll be harder for infestations of pests. This means that you’ll be much less likely to require fertilizers or harsh chemicals that will leach into the surrounding environment. No-dig gardening leaves the soil enriched and the many surrounding ecosystems healthy and intact.
How early should you start no-dig gardening?
No-dig gardening can start at any point in time in the year because to begin, all you need to do is commit to giving up the shovel, but earlier is always better, as those who make the shift will need to do some things to prepare their gardens for the incoming crop. As soon as the snow melts, it’s time to add a steady flow of nutrients combined with water to the soil to feed the natural ecosystems and build a healthy base. Even earlier, an essential tool in this process should begin, and that is composting, which can take weeks and even months to get to a point where it’s suitable to mix into a garden.
For more tips, tricks, and information
If you’d like to learn more about how to get a no-dig garden started, then we highly recommend heading on over to our living soil article where you’ll find a health base. For an in-depth explanation as to why this practice really works and why some farmers do it, check out this article on regenerative cannabis, where you’ll find all of the ins and outs required to replicate this method on a large scale.
