Page 9 - Oundle Life October 2024

TO DIG OR
NOT TO DIG
That is the question...
No-dig growing is definitely the trend, going on what you read in the magazines and what the gardening gurus and organisations say – but is it all it is cracked up to be? As a no-dig sceptic I have my doubts, but I have to admit that much of the evidence is against me!
The advantages of no-dig are that it saves work – no digging! Which, let’s face it, can be hard work but good exercise, and I find it therapeutic.
There is no soil disturbance so earthworms and the many other soil creatures are not disturbed, also the soil fungi including mycorrhizae are not broken up and the
other soil flora like bacteria, protozoa and actinomycetes do not have to suffer the catastrophic effects of digging. The above should lead to better soil structure and fertility and therefore better crops and plant growth.
No-dig should lead to less weeds as weed seeds are not brought to the soil surface by digging and the soil is covered by a surface mulch of organic matter. This mulch will also reduce moisture loss from the soil, so less watering is required during dry periods.
So, what are the disadvantages of no-dig?
There are two main ones and a couple of minor ones. The first disadvantage is that a good supply of organic matter is required to cover the soil to a depth of 30 to 50mm: few gardeners have sufficient amounts so have to buy it in,
and it is not cheap these days. There is plenty of choice from homemade compost, farmyard or horse manure, municipal compost, spent hops, leaf mould, well-rotted woodchip etc. Most of the early articles recommended to apply a 50 to 75mm depth or more, but authors now realise
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