Planet Veggie Garden

Here in California we’re under Statewide “voluntary” water conservation mode after a couple of drought years. Currently there’s over 1,400 fires burning in the State… I don’t think the water situation will improve any time soon.
Our water district is under forced water rationing… that can affect your gardening.

The water situation has spurred a bit of publicity about “no-dig” gardens since they’re water stingy.
We like that.

Other benefits of a no-dig are well… not digging – a fine form of exercise for some; a dreaded, back-aching task for others.

As well, no-digs are organic, sustainable, quick, easy, low-maintenance and all-in-all very Mom (Mother Nature) friendly.

What’s not to love?

Sandy and I have already scheduled a back yard re-construction. We’re going to be moving some our raised beds and squeezing in 4 new beds. We’ll be doing this in the Fall after the summer growing season winds down. We’ve decided (at least) the 4 new beds will be no-dig designated.

Robin and Libby are getting a jump on us by plopping a no-dig in their so sunny front yard this weekend. (hmmm, competitive maybe?)

Here’s the basics of a no dig, sometimes called a lasagna garden since basically you layer on different materials:

- Find a flat area.
- It’s better contained in a raised bed, but that’s not a requirement (except maybe for persnickedy neat people… not mentioning any names here).
- Next you simply layer on different materials. I’ve read a few sources and they differ in the suggested material. But they also ensure there aren’t hard and fast rules.

Here’s the recommendation from Pat Marsi who was featured in the LA Times:
Layer 1: cardboard and/or newspaper. This works as a barrier preventing anything growing up from the ground below such as weeds. You want to soak the cardboard and/or newspaper either before you put it down or right after.
Layer 2: “Dust” the alfalfa with bone and blood meal. You can get this at most garden stores.
Layer 3: Alfalfa hay 2-4″. (You can get bales of hay and straw mostly at Feed stores).
Layer 4: Dust that layer with more bone and blood meal and now wet it all down.
Layer 5: 6-8″ of straw (Feed store with the alfalfa).
Layer 6: 2-3″ of compost.

That’s it. To plant make a hole and put a bit of soil for the roots of a transplant to take root in.

Over time all those layers will compost.
You can then scoop out all that compost for your layer 6 the next time around.

That’s a simplification and one method.
There are of course variations. And again, there’s not one “right” way.

Here’s another great article with a different way:
How build a no-dig garden.

Robin and Libby will post about their test no-dig garden.

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