No Dig Gardening – Grow A Garden Anywhere

FOYUEE Galvanized Raised Garden Beds for Vegetables Large Metal Planter Box Steel Kit Flower Herb, 8x4x1ft

(7141)

10% Off $44.82 $39.99 (as of 14:42 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

✔ SIZE: 96''(L) x 48''(W) x 12''(H), provide extra large growing space to raise vegetables, herbs, flowers and plants ✔ LONG TIME: Made of stable thickened galvanized metal, strengthen crossbar with anti-rusty coating for long-time use ✔ OPEN BOTTOM:... read more

Best Choice Products 8x4x2ft Outdoor Metal Raised Garden Bed, Deep Root Planter Box for Vegetables, Flowers, Herbs, and Succulents w/ 478 Gallon Capacity - Gray

(1701)

27% Off $179.99 $129.99 (as of 14:45 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

2FT GROWING DEPTH: 24 inches of depth holds up to 478 gallons of soil-ideal for medium to deep rooting plants and vegetables like broccoli, beans, and more. Note: This product does not include a bottom panel IDEAL COMPOST BED: An open base combined w... read more

You can create a garden anywhere when you choose to do no dig gardening. No dig gardening is exactly what it implies, gardening without digging. In a no dig garden, you basically add a layer of organic matter above the soil and plant your garden. The garden is the compost that feeds the plants. People usually refer to no dig gardening as raised bed gardening. No dig gardens are becoming increasingly popular.

If you live where the soil might not be conducive to whatever it is you would like to grow, (the most common choice is a vegetable garden) or you want to grow a garden on top of clay or a stony area, no dig gardening can be your answer. Anything grows in compost.

Just like regular gardening, you must choose a site first. The spot should be level and have no less than five hours of sun daily. Don’t worry if the soil is not good or the weeds are invasive, as this is of little consequence to a raised bed garden. Starting a garden on top of lawn or weeds will simply create more compost material in time, as long as you do not expose the vegetation to sunlight. This is part of the joy of no dig gardening.

You will most likely want to outline your garden space by creating a border around it. For this, you can use old bricks, logs, stones, etc. The raised borders hold the garden inside so it doesn’t stray and nothing or no one can encroach. Next, lay down a layer of lucerne hay (alfalfa) to a height of about 10cm. Put a layer of organic fertilizer on top of that at a height of about 20 mm. Add a level of thick loose straw on top of that to 20cm, another layer of fertilizer, and finish your no dig garden with 10 cm of compost.

Your no dig garden will be richer if you plant seedlings instead of seeds. Seeds have a tendency to disappear in the mix. Seedlings are easier to keep track of and you can plant seedlings well in the rich mixture. Try peas, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, or sweet corn. Wait before you start planting root crops until you have a more mature garden. Besides, you’ll have to dig to remove those.

There are no size or shape restrictions in raised bed gardening. Make your garden as large or as little as you want. Try to avoid walking on it or in it, as this will compact the layers and impact your harvest. Keep building your garden up because it will tend to settle down. Practice crop rotation when you re-plant, continue to add compost and be sure to mulch around replacement plants.

Keep in mind that no digging means your garden is easier to make, but you will have to work at maintaining it if you want a nice yield for your efforts. Always organic materials in your garden. Never use chemical or man-made fertilizers or pesticides. No dig gardening mirrors nature’s way of growing, so staying organic is of the utmost importance to the philosophy of no dig gardening.

Martin Aranovitch is an online publisher with a strong interest in green living. To learn more about ways to go green, save money and help the planet, go here: Green Living Tips.