Step by Step Guide to No-Dig Garden Beds

No-dig garden beds are ideal for those strapped for time, who have physical limitations or those that want to support the soil health while creating a beautiful and functional space for your family. They are one of the easiest forms of gardening that I have come across and they can be done for free without any special tools.

What is a no-dig garden bed?

Typically when prepping a garden bed you picture digging up sod, pulling out weeds or tilling the soil to fluff it and make it workable. Perhaps you may even add amendments such as compost, top soil or manure. A no-dig garden bed avoids all of that. No-dig beds, keep all the existing plant material, soil and soil structure in place and instead smoother the living plant material so that it breaks down and replenishes the soil.

A no-dig method works well for smothering and preventing weedy seeds from continuing their dominance of your space. The longer you are able to wait before planting the more effective the no-dig method is at combating tough weeds and sleeping seeds.

No-dig garden beds are an easy way for urban gardens of any size to apply permaculture practices.

The method is often interchangeably referred to as no-till garden beds.

In Facebook groups the term lasagna gardening will be used interchangeably with no-dig. Although similar in method, there are key differences between these two methods of garden bed prep.

Benefits of a no-dig garden bed:

  • It can be done without any tools.

  • It can be done by those with physical limitations.

  • It can be done for free.

  • It supports soil health.

  • Based on the size of a typical urban vegetable garden in Toronto, it can be done in an afternoon.

  • It can be done in any season, even winter, if a few conditions are right.

  • Works around existing shrubs.

Step by Step Guide to No-Dig Garden Beds


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