How to Get Started

It's time to dump her and move on.

Not only is your gardening “work” a lot of fun, but you also have to work hard - it can only be a good thing. More vegetables with less water and weeding input.

Is it too good to be true?

Below the surface

We always look at what others are doing when we learn from one another.

Although this method of copying has proven to be effective in other areas of our lives, for example avoiding poisonous mushrooms, it does not always work in our favor.

On the contrary, it supports tradition and allows for the transmission of bad, or unjust, working / thinking ways from generation to generation.

Before tractors arrived, we discovered the shovel, before plowing was an acceptable procedure for loosening compacted soil and bringing nutrients to the surface.

4 Practical Reasons to Stop Digging Your Garden

Although invisible to the naked eye, the soil is rich in life, much more complex than any other ecosystem above ground.

Since 1 tablespoon of healthy soil contains 50 billion microorganisms, we need to think hard about our desire to break it down.

When we dig up the soil and expose it to drying air and ultraviolet sunlight, we accidentally disinfect the soil - and kill many beneficial organisms. Maybe digging isn’t a great way to garden?

Do not be afraid, on the other hand, there is hope!

We will first explore the reasons why you may want to switch to a garden system that does not dig in your backyard, and then we will provide the essential steps to get started.

1. Soil compaction

Long ago, when farmers plowed the soil, they found that fertility was high. But, it's great - it only works once.

The only land that has been returned many times loses only its vitality. That too is a place where chemical fertilizers play. You need more and more to grow the same plants. More plowing, more chemicals, more compression. Wrong things above all else.

Kneading the soil, compacting it again with tractors or legs, destroys the complex soil structure. This prevents air and water from penetrating the roots of the plants. Water is essential for the life of the plant, do not cut off the supply, but increase it by creating soil over time.

2. Fewer weeds

The absence of bare soil in the uncultivated garden prevents the germination of perennial weeds and annual seeds.

Since mulch layers cover your entire garden, weed cover will be much less than a regular garden.

Of course, there will always be some amount of weed through the compost or simply by blowing.

With each season, the weed cover will gradually decrease and they should only be removed by hand. Pull out some weeds every time you go to harvest and your garden will look beautiful every day!

Also, keep in mind that many weeds are edible (both for humans and the animals you raise!) And incredibly nutritious. When maintaining a garden, select them frequently and add them to "Wild Salads":

3. Attract more earthworms

Organic farms thrive on organic matter in the soil, as do earthworms.

If you stop digging and allow the soil to rest, it will become stronger and more fertile year after year.

On the other hand, when the soil is plowed deep, beneficial loss of life occurs. Soil disturbance actually reduces the size of the worms.

4. Increased water retention

Adding large amounts of organic matter will do wonders for your undeveloped garden.

You can stack it to a depth of 4 ″ (10 cm) above the soil surface. This combination of different components will give your garden the ability to absorb and retain soil moisture while allowing excess water to drain out. This means spending less time with the pipe, and more time appreciating your plants!