a few shots of my No-Dig plot

[tonybloke]

[attachment=1][attachment=3][attachment=2]

[tonybloke]

[manicscousers]

that is an excellent plot, tony  ;D

[jordsbabe]

I am green with envy!

[betula]

Wonderful plot :)

[Emagggie]

Cor, that's great.

[star]

Fabulous Tony, I do love to see pics. Everythings doing so well! ;)

[Robert_Brenchley]

It shows what can be done with a no-dig system. One in the eye for the sceptics!

[antipodes]

So if you don't dig, what do you do instead? I cover a lot to minimize digging but It seems necessary for some things like onions?
That said, I am quite pleased with my lasagna beds for my courgettes adn melons - except I don't know what to do with them come next season??? They are built from cardboard, grass clippings, horse poo and compost - they still let the bindweed through though  ::)
But not the redshank or thistles  ;D

[Barnowl]

Nice work Tony  :)

[raisedbedted]

Truly inspirational.

Just what raised beds should be - devised to minimise work and maxmimise crops rather than trying to emulate a magazine cover.

I'm as green as your crops.

[star]

So if you don't dig, what do you do instead? I cover a lot to minimize digging but It seems necessary for some things like onions?
That said, I am quite pleased with my lasagna beds for my courgettes adn melons - except I don't know what to do with them come next season??? They are built from cardboard, grass clippings, horse poo and compost - they still let the bindweed through though  ::)
But not the redshank or thistles  ;D

There may be a little bit of digging involved on no dig systems..........like how do I get those spuds out without a spade? And yes if you feel a tickle for your onion bed is required, go for it. The main benefit for me with no dig is that the microclimate is not disturbed and weed seeds dont get brought to the surface so dont germinate......except where you've dug out the spuds and tickled the onion bed ;D ;D

[Ishard]

Antipodes next year you just add more layers to your lasagne beds on top of what you already have as that will have composted down by then.  :)

Each year by doing that your lasagne beds will be more and more fertile.  ;)

[alienwithaview]

Very stupid question to all successful no-dig-gardeners : did you dig the plot to start with?
We did, in an effort to get out all the masses of dandelions etc., and somehow we never really stopped digging. Which is of course a complete waste of time: have a lovely crop of dandelions and permanent chickweed harvest, which despite our efforts last year we didn't manage to eradicate.
Practical advice please! - great pictures, by the way, tony!

[Robert_Brenchley]

I still do a lot of digging, I just keep it to the times when I really have to. It is possible to eliminate a lot more than I have. For instance, you could cover the dandelions with black plastic or thick cardboard to get rid of them.

[tonybloke]

I cover the land when not in use. Cardboard, manure/compost then straw. leave overwinter, pull aside straw in spring, plant whatever you want to. for a root bed, Carrots/Parsnips, I cover with carpet overwinter, uncover about 4 weeks before I need to use the bed. Flush of weeds appears!, Re-cover for a week to kill these, uncover and plant seed, in a firm drill, pre-watered with a seaweed solution, cover and firm in.
any perennial  weeds are dug out as and when they appear.
rgds, Tony (qualified Organic Gardener, Level 3)

[alienwithaview]

thanks for that, Tony. Confirms my instincts on covering / smothering the weeds rather than airing them. This pretty much settles the endless debates I have with my partner on the subject.
Am determined not to repeat past mistakes on the second as yet undisturbed half of the plot and go seriously no-dig from now on, and ignore frowning (digging and hoeing) neighbours...

[Emagggie]

It certainly frees up more time for doing other things on the plot whilst those around you toil away. ;D

[tonybloke]

don't it just!! ;D ;D ;)