I know that older gardeners are fans of digging but is it really the best way to go for our soils or our backs, for that matter?
There are many reasons for digging, new plot, farmyard manure to name just a few! However in the main there is another way and that is the “ No Dig “ way
Why We Dig
It is a sort of attitude and an old tradition on allotments keeping a grower active and busy in the cold winter months.
Digging helps against compaction, which is something we do not want because heavily compacted soils will not have space between soil particles, which will give you poor drainage in the compacted layer.
Where as what you want is good drainage which is so important to prevent soil saturation and water run-off which could end up with flooding.
Digging can help to:
Aerate Soil.
Soil needs aeration to allow oxygen into the soil.
Vital nutrients to efficiently reach plants’ roots.
Beneficial micro-organisms found in soil.
Needs air for respiration and metabolism.
However, and this is the point: over digging can put too much air into the soil which gives an unstable footing for plant roots.
Over digging may also damage soil structure and may disrupt the balance of particles and space already in the soil.
The ‘no dig’ way of relieving compaction or aerating soil could be by using plants like annuals and biennials with deep tap roots are perfect for this.
Teasel produces a large tap root that will grow deep into the most compacted soil and as the the root dies, it shrinks creating air pockets.
Vegetables also are great to go to delve deep into the soil.
All I do with my beds is to spread compost on the top and hoe in, as well as hoeing every week to control weeds
