As I build my market garden, I'm mindful that I'll no doubt have to adapt my ideas occasionally. I might have to rejig planting plans, create new beds, and sow more or less of things, but one thing I won't be budging on is my plans to keep the garden entirely No Dig and pesticide free.
I've been a keen follower of people like Charles Dowding and Stephanie Hafferty for many years, and I've always admired their dedication to a respectful way of growing things in the soil. They embrace and accept all parts of nature, even the annoying pests, and have learnt how to deal with everything in an organic and gentle (even on your back) way.
Although I won't be organically certified, I will 100% be pesticide free. Putting any poison near something my friends, family, or soon-to-be customers will be eating sends shivers down my spine. The only preventative measures I'll be taking are closely following the No Dig methods, very securely fitted netting, fencing, and possibly the odd scarecrow!
If you're new to the idea of No Dig, let me try and give you a very simple rundown of its principles. Instead of the 'traditional' methods of digging at, ploughing or turning over the soil, it's completely left to do its thing with very little disturbance. Instead, you are to suppress the weeds by initially starving them of light. If you have the time, you could cover an area with thick black polythene for several months (those who walk past my field would have seen I've done this on a portion of the site), or if you want to get going quickly, you can lay a base of cardboard, making sure it's overlapped and then put a nice, thick layer of peat-free compost on top. Doing it this way, you can be sure the soil is perfect for planting, it saves your back, and no worms are hurt in the process.
That's a very basic explanation; you can find out lots more on Charles' website - www.charlesdowding.com
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