Man using a pitchform working on a no-dig-raised bed in the garden

No-dig Gardening: What It Is and How to Do It

Have you ever wanted to start a garden but been put off by the prospect of all that digging? Or maybe you have a garden already but are tired of all the work that goes into keeping it up. If so, no-dig gardening might be for you.

In this blog post, we’ll explain what no-dig gardening is and how you can do it.

What Is No-Dig Gardening?

No-dig gardening is a type of gardening that, as the name suggests, doesn’t require any digging. Instead of digging up the soil in your garden bed, you simply lay down a layer of organic matter (such as compost) and then plant your seeds or seedlings into that.

There are a few reasons why you might want to try no-dig gardening. First, it’s much less work than traditional gardening. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance way to grow your own food, no-dig gardening is definitely worth considering.

Man adding decomposed biomatter building a no-dig-raised bed.
No-dig raised bed

Second, it can be better for your soil since you’re not constantly disturbing its delicate structure.

And third, it can help suppress weeds since they have a harder time taking root in undisturbed soil.

How to Do No-Dig Gardening

If you’re interested in giving no-dig gardening a try, there are a few things you’ll need to do. First, choose an appropriate spot for your garden bed. No-dig gardens can be done in raised beds or on level ground. Just make sure the spot gets plenty of sunlight and has good drainage.

Next, clear away any debris from the area where you’ll be planting (roots, stones, sticks, etc.). Once that’s done, wet the soil gently with a hose or watering can; this will help the compost stick to the soil better.

Now it’s time to start layering on your organic matter. If you’re using compost, spread it out evenly over the surface of the soil; if you’re using something else (like straw or leaves), make sure it’s chopped up first so it doesn’t form an impenetrable mat that your plants can’t push through.

Once you’ve got a good layer of organic matter down, it’s time to start planting.

You can sow seeds directly into the soil or transplant seedlings. Make sure they’re able to push through the organic matter to reach the soil below. Once they’re in place, give them a good drink of water and then wait for them to grow.