The no dig method is an gardening method or technique that aims to cultivate crops without disturbing or turning over the soil through conventional digging. It is an alternative approach to traditional methods that involve loosening and overturning the soil to prepare it for planting. Organic matter eg mulch is layered on the soil surface to create a nutrient-rich environment for plant growth. This technique aims to minimize soil disturbance while preserving soil structure, fertility, and biodiversity. The six main benefits of using this method are:
1. Improved soil health. With the no dig method the natural soil structure and composition is preserved and the risk of soil compaction is minimised. This allows for better drainage and aeration, promoting healthy root growth and overall soil health.
2. Reduced weed growth. When the soil is disturbed, weed seeds are brough to the surface, leading to more weeds. By not digging the soil it means that fewer weed seeds germinate and that’s means less weeding required
3. Increased biodiversity. The no dig method allows for a wide range of organisms to thrive in the soil, promoting the development of a healthy soil ecosystem. This includes earthworms, insects and beneficial microbes. Adding a generous layer of mulch releases nutrients into the soil. Apsley Farms’ soil improving mulch is packed with vital NPK nutrients and beneficial macroorganisms and microorganisms.
4. Preserve soil moisture. By not distrurbing and loosing the soil it lessens the risk of the soil drying out. Adding a layer of mulch not only adds organic matter but also locks in moisture, ideal for dry spells.
5. Reduced maintenance. Requires less physical effort than traditional digging methods. This means less time weeding and more time focusing on the more enjoyable aspects of gardening, like planting and harvesting.
6. Sustainability. The no dig method reduces soil erosion and minimises the use of pesticides and chemicals. It is ideal for organic gardeners who want to grow fruit and vegetables. Our mulch is approved for organic use by the Soil Association.
Read about the benefits of spreading mulch here !
About Apsley Farms
Sustainability and efficiency is at the heart of everything we do at Apsley Farms. We’ve adopted cutting edge technologies and turned low value crops into renewable energy. We focus on a circular economy by returning the nutrients in our digestate products back to the land as a fertiliser.
Our process of generating green gas and other important by-products ticks three important boxes: it displaces natural gas (fossil fuel) in the gas grid to heat people’s homes; it displaces CO2 made by the fertiliser industry, which is essential in the food industry; and it simultaneously generates natural fertiliser in the process!
