Starting the ‘no-dig’ beds

Having been thoroughly inspired by the work of Charles Dowding, we have decided to adopt a no-dig approach to our vegetable growing. Jack brought the digger down to the field a few weeks ago and helped to plan the layout. Special thanks to Tim, who ,managed to ensure that all lengths measured the same distance and the rectangle was just that – rather than a parallelogram or trapezium at best!

The space will eventually support 10 long beds with paths in between. A central path will split the plot down the middle. A beech hedge will make up the outer edge of the plot.

Jack has helpfully removed the turf from half of the beds and we are in the process of covering the soil with cardboard, then soil and organic matter as a mulch. The idea being that this will starve any remaining weeds of light and create an undisturbed ground in which to plant. All the good bacteria, fungi, worms and other bugs benefit from this process and in turn help to feed the soil with the nutrients gained from the organic matter at the top of the bed. A further benefit to us humans, is that it saves us from achey backs which is often the reward for digging. The other half of the beds have been started off by laying the upturned sods of turf in a line, and these too will be covered with cardboard and mulch. I’m interested to see whether there is much difference between the approaches. We might even try using a cultivator on one bed, as a way of providing further comparison.

We have started to cover the grass paths temporarily, with weed proof membrane so that the grass does not spread into the beds. The pictures below show the work in progress.