No Dig Bed – Prep and Transplanting

I show raking and levelling, quicker than digging and tilling. Perhaps a light hoeing, and I show how to see if weed growth justifies that. It may, if your compost had a lot of weed seeds!

Transplanting is easy with small plug plants, dropped into dibbed holes. I show suitable sizes for transplants of different vegetables, including multi-sown.

Follow me on Instagram charles_dowding, FB No Dig Gardening Courses, and on Twitter @charlesdowding

Filmed just before lockdown by David Adams at Homeacres, Somerset UK, zone 8 winter and zone 6 summer. This was a zone 7 day, after a frost of -2C 28F.

Spanish subtitles by Maria F. Nieto Ramirez

[kerlikaarna]

I am digging a garden this year. I am only 17 years old and my family (dad, mum, nan) think that a dug garden is better etc. i will accept their way this year to just see how it works. I have helped my other nan with her garden but thats not the same as starting one itself. Because I am only 17 and have weak girl arms, I see the appeal of no dig and think it could truly work. But the old ways, sown so deep into my family’s minds, are really hard to get rid of. I plan to go my own way next year, doing no dig and transplanting. Hope to gain even more information and experience this year. I’ll maybe give an update next year. Thank you, Charles, for your incredible tips and tricks. My young soul thanks you.

[marilynH]

I have watched every gardening video of Charles on YouTube. I am never tired of watching them. The knowledge that I gained inspires me even more to garden. I love the idea of no-dig gardening and feeding the soil, which in turn feed your plants. No need to do the back-breaking job of digging!

[sandrad]

Thank you Charles, I’ve followed your advice for about four years and it’s been wonderful, it is so good to see all my beautiful weed free composted beds waiting to be planted. Wake up world, this is the way to go.

[regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Charles I have been watching your videos for years. The view outside of your greenhouse is really changing over time! You are doing a great job of leading people to garden with no dig! Keep up the fantastic work, and videos. Patti

[shannonstephens]

Charles I love how you transplant all the things they say not to!! Thats Great!!

[dragoncarver]

And I have found that when you say "plunk" when you drop the module, the plants grow much better.

[malenejensen]

Charles, you are eminent of telling the good story of no-dig gardening and your joy of growing vegetables is contagious. It lifts my heart. And the very skillfull filming, sound and editing completes the work. Thank you from Denmark. We have now made 2 no-dig beds, 1, 2 x 2 m each and looking forward to delightful work and harvest.

[cityvegetablegardener]

Hi Charles, I'm so glad you demonstrate no-dig gardening so much. I remember having to dig over the whole garden for my mother :-)

[jennyanstey]

He’s so soothing in this lock down. And inspiring! Very happy to learn we are in the same zone in Canada. So much to learn.! Just ordered his Diary and am looking forward to sinking in and following along.

[nikolajslaby]

Trying no-dig this year for the first time. Your videos have been an great inspiration.

[grahamfields]

Dear Charles, as I sit in isolation in a 12th Floor apartment, your beautiful garden and calm voice are all the therapy I need. I look forward to the day that I can put into practice everything that you have taught us. Thanks so much.

[lunakat]

A few years ago I attempted gardening for the first time and I decided on the no dig method. I grew squash and it worked perfectly! Since then I have moved to a new house with a new yard and watching these videos makes me want to attempt no dig gardening again. Here we are in April...not a bad time to start 🤔😋.

[sionyevans]

Im a passionate Gardner in north Wales..you bring many followers delight...and I wstch your videos with pleasant envy with how easily youve managed to convert your pasture into a dream of a veg garden..the amount of work I do is ten times what you contend with...alot of us are giving ourselves more work than is frustrating...but endlessly watchable..bless you Charles

[Thoughmuchistaken]

That type of hoeing works great on nice compost, which I finally have this year. All previous years I'd snap the end off trying to dig into the ground. I'm 2:00 minutes in, but I'll watch the rest later, have to get back to the garden! Thanks Charles!

[THEGROWITS]

How lucky i am to have found your channel over a year ago. My food security is as secure as the broad beans i have cropping. I am in a bit warmer 8A in the USA. Thanks to you sir. I have a garden to be proud of!! and food during these tough times. with extra to share.

[JohnThompson-hcbd]

I’m a new gardener in Kentucky. This is my first season and I watch all the video and listen and watch for the gems of information that can help me along the way. Thank for sharing you garden with me!

[jameskniskern]

Such a joy to watch and listen to your calm, jovial, and confident voice. The methods you have learned and passed on to us are amazing.
One thing that many don't seem to realize is that you sell at market also. With these methods. And you started a smallish garden on your new property and expand it every year. If more people did that, expand as they go, instead of trying to do it all in the first year, they would start with success and understand how to move forward as they learn.

[nevergivingup]

My parents had never heard of no dig and they are having a blast with me enjoying the benefits of no dig bed. 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽. As a scientist myself, i can see the the huge benefit of this method.

[iyanla]

You're channel is so full of valuable information. So amazing! I like a lot the way you present things, make all seem so easy and pleasant. I started to watch again older videos and adapt things in my own garden. Thank you so much for all the information you share.

[retheisen]

"If hoeing is hard work, there's something wrong with the way you're doing it." Thug life.