No-dig Garden

[Kiwi Phil]

I have been plugging away trying to get info on paper re "growing vegies" etc, and it was taking forever.<br />I hope you don't mind, but i have copied and pasted info from another site, because it is brief and factual and interesting.<br /><br />I felt the 1st Article should be on NO-DIG GARDENS<br /><br /><br />Instead of digging or hoeing and hurting your back, why not use a gardener's best friend - worms - to help establish a no dig garden bed. <br /><br />No dig gardening is perfect for any soil type. It improves both sandy and clay soils and can be set on top of a pre existing garden bed, lawn or concrete. I've seen it done on asphalt in many school grounds. <br /><br />It's really quite simple, although it does involve some preparation. Materials required include a stack of newspaper, bales of pea straw, lucerne hay, or straw, chook or cow manure, or any other animal manure, and compost. <br /><br />Initially scrape the surface, to get rid of any weeds. Cover the area with sheets of newspaper six or seven sheets thick. Don’t use anything glossy. Make sure each layer overlaps so weeds can't come through any cracks and then moisten it. It will start to break down quickly, especially with the material going on top. <br /><br />Lucerne hay adds to the richness. Lay it on top of the newspaper, about 10 to15 centimetres thick. It brings the worms and encourages microbial activity. <br /><br />Sprinkle that with a layer of organic fertiliser. Chicken manure is good, because of its high nitrogen content. The next important layer is hay or straw. It's a little less nutritious than lucerne hay, which being green, has lots of nitrogen, but a cake about 20 centimetres thick works wonders. This mix is just like a wonderful cocktail party for the soil and is full of organic matter. <br /><br />Build up the garden as much as you like, just keep adding layers of straw and fertiliser. After each layer, water lightly, and really smell the goodness. <br /><br />Use home grown compost, or buy a bag of it and just make a planting hole and then plant straight into that and you're on the way to having a most beautiful herb, flower or vegetable garden. Use worm castings to introduce more worms - there are many worm eggs in the vermicast. And try companion planting using plants such as marigolds to help reduce the incidence of pests and diseases. <br /><br /><br />No dig gardening is great for the back; it can yield tremendous crops and is a great way to grow veggies organically.<br /><br />Everybody happy?<br />Cheers<br />Phillip

 

[stan_deezy]

Re: No-dig Garden

Very interesting Phillip. I like the sound of that a lot.<br /><br />Just one question though:<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />What is Ms Deezy going to do in the garden now? <br /><br />I guess she could just bring me more booze

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: No-dig Garden

Come on Stan, you got to be more creative than that. <br />Get Mrs Stan to water it, by hand, every day (unless it rained).<br />Tell her while she is hand watering, to observe each plant for tell-tale signs of bugs/caterpillars/snails/grasshoppers etc eating things, so you can get on top of them quickly.<br /><br />Tip: if possible always hand water because you can observe your crop daily and act quickly when things go wrong.<br />I observe my crop twice every day.<br />Makes for better results. It is very relaxing and satisfying too, until things go wrong.........<br />Cheers<br />Phillip

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: No-dig Garden

There is a hydroponic farm close to me and I consider that "no dig" http://www.uvm.edu/vtvegandberry/WebMkt/whipplehollow.html <br /><br />Sure makes for easy plowing!

 

[stan_deezy]

Re: No-dig Garden

thanks Phillip, of course my remarks were totally T-i-C (Ms Deezy wouldn't let me sit on my ample behind while she worked in the garden.<br /><br />I hear what you're saying about watering and observing: I tried an automated watering system a few years ago while I was still working full-time+ and it was poo! <br /><br />At the moment the ground is frozen solid here but hopefully in a few weeks (maybe slightly more) it'll be ready for work.<br />Greenhouse work is all we can manage in this cold weather: bit like boating really

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: No-dig Garden

I will come to hydroponics shortly Bob-VT.<br />Stan, the no-dig would work in a Greenhouse too. So long as there is enough light.<br />I realise it was T-i-C Stan <br />Cheers<br />Phillip

 

[Newportme]

Re: No-dig Garden

Kiwi,<br /> I tried something very close to that with great results a few years back. Our method was plain brown cardboard instead of paper, and peat moss instead of straw. Layered with chicken and cow manure and compost. I believe it was called lasagna gardening or something but it works great. No tilling just add a layer or 2 each year to replace nutrients and plant, also very little weeding

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: No-dig Garden

That sound pretty good. I guess you adjust the mix according to your locally available materials. <br />The one I had years back was great.<br />Cheers<br />Phillip

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: No-dig Garden

I've heard of that method called "Sheet Composting".