Some of Charles Dowdings Greatest 'No-Dig' Hits

As is our tradition, we like to offer a collection of some of our favorite media surrounding podcast guests, and after Charles Dowding’s episode this week, we could not wait to get this post up. So, here are some videos and an article by Dowding to get you started down the “no-dig” wormhole. Remember, too, that he has a website packed with info, including an affordable online course, and many of these videos come from his YouTube, which is just loaded with great stuff.

A 2009 article

“To Dig or Not To Dig”

No-dig potatoes

See the whole process from sowing to 'earthing up' to harvest, by pulling not digging. Potato plants easily root into undisturbed, no dig soil, while developing potatoes need soft, surface material to grow in. It's often assumed that potatoes just won't grow in soil that has not been thoroughly loosened, but this video shows the opposite.

Homeacres, the dowding garden

Drone footage mid September of Homeacres no dig garden, sixth year. You see the second plantings we make very quickly in summer after first harvests. This is a market garden selling produce within 4 miles/6km. No compost is added in summer before second plantings, because compost does not leach nutrients, so one dressing per year serves to grow two crops.

The definitive Dowding compost video

I explain green and brown ingredients, using coffee and other wastes including roots of perennial weeds and blighted leaves. What size pieces to add, what temperatures you need and may expect. How long to leave heaps before turning or using, I show you compost in different stages, of varied age and moisture content.

You’re welcome.

-NTG