When it comes to gardening, we often imagine spades slicing through soil, forks turning earth, and plenty of muddy knees. But what if we told you there was a gentler, more efficient, and eco-friendly way to grow your own food and flowers - one that works with nature, not against it?
Welcome to the world of no-dig gardening: a simple yet revolutionary method that’s transforming the way we grow. Head Gardener Shan has been using this method for more than 8 years now and has really seen how the soil can transform from year to year. It's wealth of benefits from less back-breaking work to a better eco-system beneath the soil, less weeds and better water retention make this a total no-brainer in her eyes.
What is No-Dig Gardening?
Just as the name suggests, no-dig gardening is all about disturbing the soil as little as possible. Instead of digging, we build healthy growing beds by layering compost and organic matter directly on top of the soil. Over time, this encourages a thriving ecosystem beneath the surface (think worms, microbes, and fungi) that does much of the hard work for us.
Of course, you might still need to dig the occasional hole to plant a seedling or sow a larger plant, but the idea is to avoid unnecessary disruption, allowing nature to get on with what it does best, so don't take the term too literally!
Why Go No-Dig?
We’re big fans of the no-dig method at The Gardeners Co., and not just because it saves our backs from hours of digging! Here are a few of the main benefits:
Better Soil Structure
Healthy soil is full of microscopic life. Digging breaks up these carefully balanced networks, especially fungal threads (called mycorrhizae) that help plants absorb nutrients. By leaving the soil undisturbed, we allow these underground connections to thrive.
Improved Water Retention
No-dig beds hold moisture better than bare soil, meaning less watering - especially useful during those dry summer spells. Shan's favourite story is from 2022 when she grew Co-Founder Tan's wedding flowers, as well as a whole host of plants for RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. The show plants were all in pots to got all the water, which very quickly ran out. The wedding flowers barely saw a drop of water that year, but having been planted in no-dig beds that were 3-4 years old, they retained enough water to keep the plants thriving without intervention!
Fewer Weeds
Weeds are much less likely to take hold in a no-dig bed, especially when you mulch regularly. Any weeds that do pop up are usually easy to remove, thanks to the loose, compost-rich surface.
Healthier Plants
With stronger root systems, better access to nutrients, and less competition from weeds, your plants will thank you with healthier growth and bigger harvests.
Less Work
Forget double-digging or forking over your beds every year. Once your no-dig bed is set up, all it needs is a top-up of compost or mulch once or twice a year. Simple! It's perfect for us lazy gardeners, or those short on time!
How to Start a No-Dig Bed
Starting your first no-dig bed is surprisingly easy, and you probably have most of what you need already.
1. Choose Your Spot
Pick an area where you’d like to create your growing bed. It can be on grass, weeds, or even compacted soil.
2. Cut Back Growth
Cut back any existing grass or weeds so they’re as short as possible. There’s no need to dig them out (unless they’re deep-rooted perennials).
3. Add a Weed-Suppressing Layer
Lay a thick layer of cardboard over the area, overlapping each piece so there are no gaps. This will smother weeds and gradually break down into the soil. Make sure all tape and non-compostable materials are removed first.
4. Add Compost
Spread at least 5cm of peat-free compost on top of the cardboard. This is where your seeds and plants will grow. If you have extra materials like well-rotted manure, leaf mould, or garden compost, feel free to layer those in too!
5. Plant and Grow
Now it’s time to get growing! Sow directly into the compost or transplant seedlings. For larger plants, you can cut a cross into the cardboard below and nestle the plant in.
6. Maintain with Mulch
Once or twice a year (usually in spring or autumn), simply top up your bed with a fresh layer of compost or mulch. No digging required!
Top Tips for No-Dig Success
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Think in Layers – You can build your bed lasagne-style if you have an abundence of resource: a base of cardboard, followed by layers of woodchip, manure, garden waste, food scraps, and compost. You want to layer things in the order in which they will decompose. If all you have is compost, then that will do just fine!
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Start Small – If you’re new to no-dig, start with a single raised bed or a corner of your garden before expanding.
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Embrace Imperfection – No-dig doesn’t mean no-weeds-ever. But it does mean they’ll be fewer and easier to manage given the light, airy texture of the soil!
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Let Nature Lead – Worms, fungi, and microbes are your garden helpers. The less you interfere, the more they’ll reward you.
A Kinder Way to Garden
No-dig gardening is more than a technique; it’s a mindset. It encourages us to slow down, observe, and work alongside nature rather than trying to control it. It’s about building healthy soil, nourishing our plants, and reducing the physical strain and environmental impact of traditional gardening methods.
Whether you’re an experienced grower or just starting out, no-dig is a method well worth trying, and your garden (and back!) will thank you for it.