How To Garden In Canada Without Digging.

Ashley
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Without turning the soil over or tilling it, gardening without digging is a way to grow plants. This permaculture technique, sometimes referred to as no-dig gardening or lasagna gardening, can be good for the health of the soil and the plants.

If you are new to this blog my name is Ashley and I am a soil scientist. I am located in a Canadian Zone 3 and a USDA Zone 4. I write articles, make YouTube videos, Instagram & Facebook posts all designed for Canadians and Cold Climate gardeners using science-based methods. If you are looking for anything specific be sure to let me know in the comments down below.

Advantages Of No Dig Gardening

Maintaining the soil’s structure is one of the key advantages of no-dig gardening. Tilling can cause soil to become compact, which results in poor drainage and less aeration. As a result, it could be more challenging for roots to sift through the soil and for water and air to move around. The soil structure is protected by not excavating, which may result in healthier plants.

Soil Microbe Health

No-dig gardening also contributes to the preservation of the population of advantageous bacteria in the soil. These microbes are crucial for decomposing organic materials and releasing nutrients for plants. The population of these microorganisms may be disturbed by tilling, which may result in decreased soil fertility.

Time Requirements

No-dig gardening has the added advantage of requiring less time and effort to maintain a garden. The soil must frequently be prepared for planting using traditional gardening techniques, which takes a lot of time and work. No-dig gardening avoids disturbing the earth, which can make planting and maintaining the garden easier.

Easy Organic Solutions

Simply put organic material, like compost or straw, on top of the soil to begin a no-dig garden. The organic debris can subsequently be used to plant seeds or seedlings. The organic matter will aid to break down as the plants develop, adding nutrients to the soil.

No-dig gardening has been the topic of some published scientific investigations

Researchers discovered that no-till systems in the Mediterranean region led to an increase in soil organic matter, water holding capacity, and crop yields in one study titled “Effect of tillage system on soil physical properties, organic matter and crop yield in a semiarid Mediterranean environment” by C. P. Pardo et al.

A. Sanon and colleagues discovered that no-till and green manure methods boosted soil organic matter and crop yields in their 2009 study, “No-tillage, Green Manure, and Compost Effects on Soil Quality and Maize Yield in a Semi-Arid Area of Burkina Faso.”

In conclusion, no-dig gardening is a technique for growing plants that can be good for the soil’s health and the health of the plants. It helps to maintain the soil’s structure and population of microorganisms, and it can also