What is the no dig method?
In a no-dig regime, weeds are controlled by shallow hoeing, hand weeding, contact weedkillers and mulching. Debris is gathered up rather than dug in. Mulches are taken into the soil by soil organisms, and fertilisers are washed in by rain.
Where is Charles Dowding?
He’s now renowned for his no-dig garden. It’s a method he teaches and continues to put to the test season after season. These days, Charles gardens in southwest England on a three-quarter acre property he calls Homeacres.
What is a Hugel bed?
Put simply, hugelkultur is a centuries-old, traditional way of building a garden bed from rotten logs and plant debris. These mound shapes are created by marking out an area for a raised bed, clearing the land, and then heaping up woody material (that’s ideally already partially rotted) topped with compost and soil.
Does no dig really work?
No Dig is an attractive way of growing. It provides a rich soil to grow in, and it’s an excellent way to clear a weed-infested growing area. In principle, by avoiding digging you will not be disrupting the soil life. This is the important micro-organisms, fungi and worms, that help feed plant roots.
How deep should a no dig bed be?
The key is adding a ‘thick’ layer. It needs to be 3-6″ initially and then a further 2″ each year. A light sprinkling will have little to no effect so you need to go big with this one. It may be best to order a few tonnes of compost to get yourself started even with a smaller bed.
Who is Charles Dowdings partner?
‘It’s been crazy,’ says Charles, 61, from his home near Castle Cary in Somerset, where he lives with his partner Steph Hafferty, a professional gardener and cookery writer. ‘The level of interest has been incredible.
How long does a hugelkultur bed last?
The number of years you get out of your hugelkultur and hugel bed will depend on the density of the wood originally used to build it. Typically, it will last from around eight to 10 years. However, if you are able to use hardwood trees, you may get as many as 20 years of great gardening out of it.
Does hugelkultur really work?
Hugelkultur is highly effective in urban areas. Container gardening is a popular option for small yards, poor soil, or an arid climate, but in some circumstances, hugel beds might be even better.
How deep should no dig beds be?
Can you plant straight into no dig bed?
You don’t need to dig beforehand, as soil organisms such as worms will rise to the mulch, eat and digest it, creating a rich and well-textured soil. Firm it down. You can plant or sow direct into the surface compost, just as you would normally.
Can I plant in a no dig bed straight away?
With no dig, you can plant straight into compost, so a new bed is ready for planting as soon as it has been made. For this reason, I advise having some plants ready in order to maximise growing time.
Who invented no dig gardening?
Charles Dowding has been a lead innovator of organic and no dig gardening since 1983 – so there is no one better placed to give you tips for making your outside space as special as possible.
Is Charles Dowding organic?
Charles Dowding (the guru of no dig gardening) shares his organic, no-dig approach to soil and plants. He reveals revealing the techniques that enable him to grow healthy, vibrant crops while maintaining a healthy soil.