As the weather is more suited to planning than planting, I thought this might be a good time to take a look at the claims made for so-called, “No-dig” vegetable growing. Does No-Dig expose dinosaur diggers, or is it another false dawn?
If you are new to No-Dig approaches, here are videos from two advocates of the method and one slightly less convinced voice. All three take an evidence-based, experimental approach. See what you think.
Charles Dowding is perhaps becoming the best-known UK proponent of No-Dig. Charles uses his experience of No-Dig methods over 35 years in professional and amateur settings to present an apparently compelling case built on claims of healthier crops, higher yields, fewer weeds and less required effort.
Morag Gamble gardens in Australia and comes from a background in Permaculture approaches to veggie growing. Morag makes similar claims for No-Dig, but her style and methods differ in important details.
Bruce Darrell is a Canadian, now living and gardening in Ireland. No-Dig is one of seven vegetable gardening styles Bruce is experimenting with on his small-holding and community garden. Unlike Charles and Morag, he has not yet decided which of the seven styles he feels best suites his circumstances.
If you want to learn more all thee have channels on YouTube and websites that offer lots of resources on their favoured approaches.
So, what do you think? By the way, if you are aware of other styles of No-Dig gardening, please share them in the comments below.
