A no dig garden.

Getting started in the garden to grow flowers, herbs or food can be as simple as adding some quality soil to a flower pot and watching nature do her thing! In this section we are going to look at setting up a no dig garden bed which has many benefits. It's a method that takes less effort and allows us to easily build up soil fertility and reduce weed growth, it also requires less water and less maintenance.

The no dig method also gives us the flexibility to create a garden on a concrete patio, over existing lawn or on dry, compacted soil.

Tools

-Garden fork

-Newspaper

-Compost

-Mulch

-Edging

Step 1.

Plan your area

Mark out the size of your area and any pathways that will be included. Stepping stones or pavers are great for larger areas so you can easily access the middle section without compacting the soil or stepping on plants. When planning your area keep in mind how far away your water source is and if there will be enough sunshine during the day. Around 6-8 hours of sun is preferable.

Step 2.

Aerate the soil

Skip this step if you are building straight onto a patio.

Gently aerating the soil with a garden fork allows air, nutrients and water to be easily absorbed. Be careful not to turn the soil which disturbs the micro-organisms. You simply want to put the fork into the earth and gently lift the soil to form a fracture. Do this several times covering the area.

Step 3.

Layer organic material

The next step is to create a sort of garden lasagne.

There are various layering techniques and organic ingredients you can use to create a great foundation for your soil and plants to thrive. Start small and utilise existing resources you have on hand.

- You can begin by mowing or whipper snipping any leaves or grass. Leave the clippings on the patch as they will provide extra nutrients as they break down.

- On this base layer you can also add any organic kitchen scraps like vegetable and fruit peels and crushed egg shells. (no meat or dairy scraps).

Comfrey leaves, worm castings or natural fertiliser like chicken manure all make a great addition.

-Water everything in well.

-For the next layer add 10-15cm of compost or good quality soil.

Next we add a biodegradable weed barrier made of newspaper. The weed barrier serves multiple purposes. It helps to retain moisture on the below layers and encourage a thriving community of microbes and it reduces weed growth.

- Wet the newspaper in a large bucket of water and cover the entire area with overlapping paper about 10 sheets thick. Leave no little gaps for the weeds to get through!

-The final layer of the garden bed is mulch. Add around 15cm of mulch (sugarcane mulch is a great option) covering the entire bed so no newspaper can be seen. The thick layer of mulch will break down over time creating new soil and will help to retain moisture and regulate temperature.

- Water well again.

Step 4.

Plant your seedlings

To plant in your seedlings make a 'nest' through the mulch and pierce through the newspaper. Add a small handful of compost into the hole and pop in your seedlings. Tuck the seedling in gently with the mulch, careful not to cover it.

Water each seedling again.

When setting up a no dig garden on a patio or concrete area you pretty much use the same layering methods however you will need to contain the garden in a planter.

To allow for adequate air flow and drainage you can build a simple upcycled planter or purchase one ready made.