Organic Gardening: The natural no-dig way

Around ten years ago we watched some videos from Charles on YT. We had just taken on an overgrown allotment in Bristol and needed to advice. The no-dig idea is obviously appealing so we bought this book. I have just bought it again for a present for my sister. After reading and following the advice, we actually went on a course at Charles's property and it was a great and educational day out. From that point on, we have lived the no-dig system that Charles writes about in this book. We now have a small allotment in our back garden and continue to follow the advice given in this book. I can't recommend the advice given within and highly recommend the contents to anyone wanting to grow vegetables naturally and want the easy life whilst producing great vegetables whilst using natural and easy to understand procedures. If you're new to growing and want some advice then I can't think of a better person to get that advice from...

This is a good book, with much useful information. Dowding is not the originator of the no-dig approach to gardening, but he has done a lot to popularise it, and to demonstrate its effectiveness. Quite a bit of the book is taken up with an explanation of the philosophy behind his approach e.g. Using compost as a mulch to keep down weeds, as well as feeding the soil. There are also sections on each group of fruit and veg, with sections on the major crops such as beetroot and onions. Whilst I do recommend this book, it is not without fault. He omits less common crops such as root parsley, and he only mentions a few recommended varieties for each plant. That said, these are minor quibbles. The key message, that there is no need to dig, and that an organic no dig approach is not only easier, but better for you and wildlife is put across in a convincing manner. I have gone over to no dig, and had few weeds to clear, and excellent harvests. It works.

Love this. Have been using no dig for a few years to renovate my.overgrown garden. Has worked a treat. Am now learning to grow veg and keep coming back to this book as it has good detail and is well organised. I love Charles' confidence and enthusiasm. Makes me feel I cam achieve anything as long as I mulch mulch mulch. So far so good

A beautifully finished book regards to both the quality of the photographs and the information given by the author. I'm learning already!

This book is just what I was looking for. It has all the information on when to sow seeds, and the calendar for each vegetable. Lots of information to digest. Love this book.

This is a really great book packed full of knowledge and wisdom. I am not an experienced gardener but I purchased this book when I got an allotment at the start of the year and have had a lot of fun and success with the information I have learnt! Would definitely recommend to anyone interested in growing veg without breaking their back!

I belong to my local Community Gardening group and I have always tried growing vegetables using a type of 'No Dig', but it hasn't always been very successful. I was fortunate enough to attend a presentation given by Charles just over 13 months ago and was hooked into trying his methods. SUCCESS!!! I have 2 comments I'd like to pass on - 1. Unless you have access to a LARGE volume of compost it may be expensive if you live a long distance from where your local council processes its 'Green Waste' (as I do), but it is DEFINITELY worth it!!! I ordered 4 cubic metres and it was enough for 40 square metres. 2. It can be a lot of work moving the compost from where it can be dumped to where your plots are - mine were just over 200 metres away. The crop of potatoes was superb and so easy to harvest and the same was true of the squashes. I quietly smile tomyself as I see others digging eash year/rotatting their crops etc!! :-)

I really enjoyed reading this book with lots of practical tips, great pictures and well organised layout to help you find the information you are looking for. I found it very comprehensive but also very easy to follow. Thank you Charles, great book.

An excellent book laying out the concept of "no dig" gardens. The author has vast experience of this as you can see from his writings. Great book.

Charles Downing is the best at what he does and if you are looking for a single source for all your questions about gardening (since there are millions out there) then his books and videos are going to be your gardening bible.

This is a great discovery in gardening! I have watched his videos and cannot get enough. I can't wait to make a no dig garden in a sunny spot in my yard I believed was ungardenable. Just full of great info!

Dieses Buch ist unglaublich gut. Der Anfang, in dem die Methode ohne Umgraben erklärt wird, ist zum Glück nicht allzu umfangreich, denn so viel gibt es dazu nicht zu wissen. Unfassbar gut ist der hintere Teil, in dem es um die einzelnen Gemüsesorten geht. Der Autor hat ein unglaubliches Praxiswissen und erklärt, wann man welche Sorte am besten aussät und welche Sorten gut danach ins Beet passen, um im Verlauf eines Jahres die maximale Ernte aus seinen Beeten einzufahren. Natürlich beziehen sich seine Angaben auf seinen Garten in Somerset (England) in einer sehr milden Klimazone, aber einiges lässt sich auch auf rauere Gegenden übertragen, vor allem, wenn man sich ein bisschen mit Frostschutzvliesen und Folientunnen behelfen kann. Insgesamt ist das Wissen von Charles Dowding auch über die einzelnen empfehlenswerten Sorten innerhalb einer Gemüseart sehr umfassend. Ich habe unglaublich viel über Gemüse und seinen Anbau gelernt. Wer allerdings einen genauen Beetplan mit Anbauanleitung sucht, ist hier aber falsch. Er gibt viele Empfehlungen und achtet auch nicht so sehr auf die Fruchtfolge oder angeblich geeignete Mischkulturpartner, was sich aus seiner Erfahrung mit diesen Anbaumodellen ergibt. Sein Fazit, durch regelmäßiges Füttern des Bodens mit Kompost ist es eher möglich, in einer kürzeren Folge beispielsweise Kohlsorten anzubauen. Ich kann das Buch für Hobbygärtner nur empfehlen. Ich hoffe, dass es irgendwann ins Deutsche übersetzt wird!

I wasnt sure which of his books to purchase, but based on the reviews went with this one. Only started reading it, and find its an easy read, with plenty on information. Still haven't put anything to practice.