The amazing benefits of no dig, no till

Written by

Charles Dowding

Last Updated

Save time - not only by not digging or tilling, but also by the reduced amount of weeds, moisture loss and all the other features of this great method. “Thanks for saving me all the time I would have spent digging” Peter Lowman, Surrey.
Weeds grow less! I receive so much positive and sometimes surprised feedback from gardeners and growers using the methods I teach.
The fewer weeds that do grow are easier to hoe or pull out: “on the beds where I have applied a layer of compost it has been an absolute joy - weeding is now so easy!” Theresa French, Kent.
No dig with a mulch of compost unlocks latent fertility and results in abundance: "I have enough lettuce to feed the entire county!” Jim Bowman, who came on one of my courses at West Dean College.
Soil structure improves so plants are well anchored against wind, and difficult vegetables become easier to grow:“It's my second year with a plot and I was the only one who grew cauliflowers. Even the old men were asking me my secrets.I told them about no dig !!!!” Sue Fink via Facebook
Good structure means you can put a foot on, even walk on beds should you need to, saving unnecessary bending to reach the middle.
Moisture is retained, because fresh soil is not exposed to dry air in cultivations.
Helpful soil organisms, many of which are harmed by cultivations, can thrive, such as the numerous, fine threads of mycorrhizal fungi which help plants to find nutrients and moisture. They can reach into tiny soil cavities that roots cannot enter.
Soil exposed by cultivations is sticky but in no dig you can walk over the plot at any time of year without soil sticking to your boots.
Save money! No tiller needed, less water, more harvests.
Grow more food with little effort, because its so quick to clear the residues of one harvest, then sow or plant straight into the ground, which is always ready!
You can grow even more by intersowing and interplanting, which reduces the overlap time between crops - again, thanks to not needing any soil cultivation.