Learning about soil

Let me explain...not so long ago I afforded myself a night away to focus on some Wild & Bliss
planning. En route to my destination I was literally blindsided by a couple of podcast episodes on Let’s Grow Girls podcast - Jo & Wendy from Organic Blooms in the UK and a very informative chat with
Charles Dowding on the concept of no dig. My brain soaked up all the information and in no time at all I was convinced that the no dig method would be the way forward for me.

Soil health as explained by Jo & Wendy is so pivotal to the health of whatever you are growing, whether it be cut flowers, vegetables or your landscape border. There are billions of micro-organisms beneath the surface that contribute to healthy, productive soil. Critical pathways deliver nutrients from the soil to precious plant roots. Lobbing a spade into the mix completely disrupts this ecosystem. Left undisturbed, organisms thrive and a natural balance ensues. Soil teeming with life promotes a soil structure that provides aeration and drainage thanks to worm tunnels, and worm casts assist in binding it all together.

Charles Dowding realistically coined the term ‘minimal disturbance’ to the process, conceding that interrupting the soil is going to be necessary from time to time. However I also learned that by applying a no dig technique to my gardening, I wouldn’t be disrupting any weed seeds that are brought to the surface with good old spades and trowels, which then quickly germinate into an abundance of weeds. By not digging, the seeds effectively lie dormant beneath the surface. I’d call that a win.

Adding value to the soil by way of mulch also assists in suppressing weeds – a multi-pronged attack! Mulch protects the soil beneath, ensuring it remains soft (to encourage tender roots to grow) and aiding water retention – vital in areas where drought and water restrictions are common. ‘Nuff said.

These podcast encounters were fundamental to informing me about the no-dig/minimal disturbance method of gardening and I’ve done much more research since. I will subscribe to the minimal disturbance philosophy where possible, because dang, I don’t want to be pulling more weeds than I have to!