THE BENEFITS OF NO-DIG GARDENING

No-dig gardening requires less work than traditional gardening practices, can be more productive, and helps sequester carbon, reducing global warming.

No-dig gardening increases soil health and fertility, reduces weeding, watering, and fertilizing, and requires fewer outside inputs. Let’s look at each of these benefits in more detail.

The Soil Wins - No-dig gardening helps preserve soil moisture and fertility and makes for better air and water flow.

No-Dig Helps the Planet - By not turning the soil, we’re slowing down the rate of soil carbon decomposition. Also, no-dig gardening encourages the formation of humus that holds carbon in the soil.

Less Work for You - No longer will you have to dig new garden beds, turn old beds each spring, or remove sod and weeds. I won’t lie to you. No-dig gardening does require some work, especially when starting out. Gathering and layering organic materials, compost, and raised bed materials (if you choose to use them) to build your no-dig beds will take time and effort.

Lower Start-Up Costs - By using organic materials you have on hand, you can create the layers needed to get the no-dig bed process going. Later in this book, I’ll talk about areas of the world where no-dig beds are built with just native grasses, branches, animal manures, food scraps, and paper materials.

Easier to Maintain - Inherent in no-dig gardening are raised beds. Raised beds also allow you to concentrate your planting, watering, and fertilizing in a smaller space.

Hopefully by now you’re convinced that no-dig gardening is worth a try. That’s good, because you’re holding a whole book on the subject! Let’s dive in.