No-dig garden has big benefits all its own
If you like the idea of growing your own plants but are stalled because you do not like the idea of digging into the ground, consider constructing a no-dig garden.
By making your own soil, theoretically you can eliminate weeds and disease.
Creating a small no-dig garden requires minimal time, and once you have purchased and gathered all of the supplies, it can be built in under an hour.
Decide on a site first, preferably one that gets afternoon sun and is not too wet or dry. Choose a shape, such as a square or rectangle, reachable from all sides, to prevent walking in your garden and avoiding soil compaction.
Obtain your supplies, including black and white newspaper or cardboard, pre-made bags or locally-obtained manure, compost and worm castings, bales of straw and dried leaves or sawdust, pre-made bags of garden soil, and burlap or protective coverings, such as a tablecloth.The amount of materials you will need depends on the size of your no-dig garden area. For example, for a no-dig garden that is 8 feet by 12 feet, multiply these two numbers (8 x 12 = 96), which is the number of square feet.To spread a 3-inch layer of material for this 96-square-foot garden, you will need to purchase approximately 16, 3-cubic-foot bags each (or a combination of) manure, compost and worm castings. You would need to purchase approximately 8, 3-cubic-foot bags of garden soil to complete the garden.Non-treated wooden boards can frame the garden, if desired, but are not necessary.Prior to planting, purchase pre-packaged garden soil and earthworms and select seeds and plants of your choice.At the selected garden site, lay down four to six layers of newspaper or one layer of cardboard. If the area is grassy, make sure to overlap the layers to assure full coverage. Soak the area with water.For the second layer, add two to three inches of manure, compost and worm castings; you can use any one of these materials or a combination. Soak the area with water.Next, add a third layer of 2 to 3 inches of any one of these materials, or a mixture of all of them: chopped leaves, sawdust and straw. Soak this layer with water. Apply leaves and straw that are weed-free.Repeat these two layers. When building these layers, keep the sides straight and even; the end result should look like a freshly cut slice of layer cake. Shore up the edges with non-treated wooden planks, if desired.
Cover your completed layers with a covering of burlap or old towels, a sheet or tablecloth, bark, newspaper or leaves. Drench your newly-created no-dig garden with water.Between May 1 and 15, remove the top covering of burlap or tablecloth/sheet. Gently and evenly spread a container of earthworms on your garden soil. Then add 3 inches of pre-packaged garden soil.After the last frost, plant the selected seeds and transplant the annuals and vegetable plants.Plants and seeds that do well in a traditional garden will grow well in your no-dig garden.No-dig gardens are an ideal option for gardeners who have limited ground area to dig a traditional garden, are unable to dig a garden due to physical capabilities, or need improved soil to establish plants.For questions, call the Master Gardener Garden Hotline at 724-287-4761, Ext. 7, or email butlermg@psu.edu.<i>Laurie Schramm is a Penn State Extension Butler County Master Gardener trainee.</i>
