Earlier this month, on November 3, many gardeners celebrated ‘No Dig’ day, a gardening methodology championed by the renowned market gardener Charles Dowding.

It’s an approach that the Inverclyde Shed uses in all our community growing spaces and across many of the Inverclyde schools and community sites that we have helped set up.‍ No-dig growing is easy to setup, is often less work to maintain and can benefit the environment.

The concepts behind ‘No Dig’ allow you to work in harmony with your soil for healthy plants and bumper crops, without huge effort. Leaving soil undisturbed and feeding soil life at the surface with organic matter.

One teaspoon of healthy soil contains more living organisms than all the people in the world. In addition to providing habitat for billions of organisms, soil acts as a water filter and growing medium. It contributes to biodiversity, solid waste treatment, acts as a filter for wastewater and supports agriculture.

It’s an elegant and thoughtful way to grow.

The RHS identifies the benefits as follows:

  • No-dig gardening using compost produced in your own garden is an environmentally sustainable way to care for your soil
  • This method can be used for edible and ornamental beds and borders
  • Improve any garden soil by adding organic matter and reducing cultivation (digging)
  • Plants access nutrients through the action of soil-dwelling organisms, meaning little or no fertilisers are required

Digging damages soil structure by destroying natural drainage channels made by worms, disturbing fungal networks, and releasing carbon that’s locked in the soil.

(Image: Inverclyde Shed)

Reducing soil cultivation through no-dig gardening preserves and improves the soil structure, greatly improving its overall health.

So put away your spade, take a slower approach to growing and gain the benefits of improved soil health that will allow all your plants to thrive!

Grow more, from fewer resources, in less time

With this method, soil drains well, holds warmth and moisture, and retains organic matter and carbon. You can pop in seeds and plants at any time, with no mud.

And the best thing of all is that weeds are few, so you have more time for creative gardening and making compost.

The annual spread of good quality home-made compost is just 2-3cm (one inch) on beds. There's no need for raised sides and using recycled woodchips from your local tree surgeon for paths. 'No dig' requires less compost than if you dig, for the same amount of harvest.  

If you would like to find out more about how we do ‘No Dig’ contact us at contact@inverclydeshed.co.uk