I first came across ‘no-dig’ gardening when I volunteered at Four Acre Farm in Ringwood, Hampshire.
Kate Forrester and Mollie Taylor started a no-dig market garden in 2021. Every year the farm is now full of vibrant, healthy vegetables, due to the improving soil health on this once intensely-farmed piece of land.
No-dig gardening is a way of growing plants without digging or turning over the soil. This leaves the soil as undisturbed as possible.
I have used the no-dig method of gardening at my Nature Thyme Allotment and with the children at our Green Shoots Gardening Club at the farm.
Instead of digging, you simply put a layer of cardboard on the ground, on top of any weeds or grass.
Compost or organic matter is then added on top of the cardboard which helps to smother any existing plant growth and feeds the soil life.
Plants and seeds are then planted or sown directly into this compost.
Benefits of No-dig
1. Happier Soil
Digging breaks up the soil’s natural structure. In no-dig gardening this structure is preserved and soil is healthy and full of nutrients.
The no-dig method encourages beneficial microorganisms to thrive, such as fungi and bacteria. The soil stays rich and full of life.
No-dig helps worms and insects to live happily in the soil. Their tunnels allow for better air and water circulation, promoting healthy root growth. And their poo (worm castings) are like a super compost for your growing plants!
2. Healthier Plants
Plants grow well and stay healthy and there is no need for harmful chemicals – nature does the work!
3. Fewer Weeds
By layering cardboard and compost, you smother weeds without having to pull them all out – saving you time and energy!
4. Less Work
No dig means just that! There is no heavy digging and there is a lot less work which Susie the swede, in our Wizz and Fizz ‘Winter Wonders’ story, likes very much indeed!
5. Nature Friendly
No-dig gardens are kinder to nature and better for the planet. And that’s just what we love here at Nature Thyme!
6. Great for Children
- No digging makes gardening easier and more fun for little ones.
- Healthy soil teeming with life means lots of mini beasts to spot!
- It is a lovely way for children to learn about soil health and how to work with nature to grow healthy food.
- Working with nature shows children how to care for the Earth.
- There’s less time weeding and more time doing the fun stuff like planting, watering, harvesting – and eating colourful, seasonal vegetables full of goodness!
Why not start your own no-dig patch and let’s grow together!
To find out more about no-dig visit www.charlesdowding.co.uk.
I was lucky enough to meet the ‘no-dig guru’ Charles Dowding when he gave a fascinating talk at Four Acre Farm in July 2025.
Charles is a well-known British gardener, author and advocate for the no-dig approach to gardening. As well as running his no-dig garden ‘Homeacres’ in Somerset, Charles hosts events and workshops; gives talks and teaches on-line courses, inspiring thousands of gardeners across the world to adopt no-dig methods. There are lots of free resources on the website to get you started!
