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It’s almost second nature for seasoned gardeners to till the soil season after season to prepare it for another round of planting. But more and more gardeners are beginning to leave this practice behind in favor of a more “natural” approach to gardening, that is, no-till gardening.

But unlike gardening fads and trends that come and go, no-till gardening might just be a gardener’s golden ticket to a lush and sustainable garden. Based on the premise that Mother Nature doesn’t use a spade, it’s no surprise that no-till gardening has taken root fast.

The basics of no-till gardening

Tilling or tillage makes it easier to incorporate fertilizers into the soil and to plant small seeds. It also speeds up the decomposition of plant matter that might end up being buried in the process. You’re also creating looser, fluffier soil thought to be ideal for planting.

But there are cons to this practice. For one, constant digging isn’t good for back muscles. Stooping and bending for long periods at a time can strain the neck, too, and this might lead to a stiff neck or neck sprain later on.

This also isn’t to mention the fact that digging is hard, and it can quickly tire you out. In terms of the garden’s health itself, digging also disturbs the microbes in the soil, such as bacteria and fungi, bugs, insects and other minuscule animals that help enrich the soil.

In a nutshell, frequent digging sets back the natural processes that lead to rich and fertile soil. For these reasons and more, gardeners are starting to change their methods to more sustainable ones that benefit both the gardener and the soil’s health.

Enter no-till gardening. Just as the name implies, no-till gardening gets rid of all that needless digging. Instead, it promotes a more natural and effortless approach to gardening that uses mulch to “build” and enrich the soil.

Mulch is a kind of organic material applied to the surface of the soil to lock in moisture, nourish the soil and inhibit soil erosion. Mulch also helps shade the soil to keep it cool under the hot summer sun.

Tried-and-tested no-till gardening methods

There are different methods for no-till gardening, and the effect of each is more or less the same: healthier soil. Here are three go-to no-till gardening methods:

Mulching

Mulch “feeds” the soil and helps it maintain an optimal temperature. If the soil in your garden plots or beds is already fertile, all you need to do to go no-till is to spread a generous layer of mulch over the soil. You can then start planting once it decomposes.

Sheet mulching

Sheet mulching is great for poor soil. This method requires spreading out sheets or pieces of cardboard over the soil and then spreading at least three inches of mulch over the cardboard. Over time, the cardboard and mulch should decompose and enrich the soil underneath.

Square foot gardening

Square foot gardening isn’t as complicated as it sounds. In a nutshell, square foot gardening makes good use of each square foot of soil (hence the name) so as to not misuse space. It also doesn’t require digging! This is a great method for gardeners struggling to make a garden out of a small or limited space.

Starting a no-till garden

It’s true that no-till gardening saves time more than traditional gardening. But make no mistake: A successful transition to a no-till garden does require building a couple of habits to get started on the right foot. For the most part, these no-till habits require a shift in mindset about land management.

Here’s a four-step guide to starting a no-till garden:

1. Prepare the soil – There’s no recommended method to doing this first step as it is a matter of preference. In fact, some gardeners begin their no-till gardens digging the soil once. This is often done if the topsoil is too poor and not suitable for planting. But if the soil is rich enough, go ahead and do some sheet mulching.
2. Position the paths and garden beds – Sheet mulching also helps in plotting out paths and garden beds. It’s important to do this beforehand as the paths and beds are going to be a permanent feature in the garden. You shouldn’t risk stepping on the beds as this can compress and turn the soil into a block that’ll need to be dug back up again.
3. Add mulch – Mulch is the bread and butter of no-till gardening. So after spreading out the cardboard and positioning the paths and garden beds, go ahead and spread mulch that’s at least eight inches high. Options for mulch include leaf mold, grass clippings, compost, manure and forest duff.
4. Start planting – Let the mulch decompose and get incorporated into the soil over a couple of months. It should be ready for seeds if the mulch is no longer lumpy. If there are still a couple of lumps, sprout seeds indoors. This makes it easier for the plants to thrive once transplanted into the ground.

No-till gardening is an emerging trend in the realm of gardening that encourages microorganisms in the soil to build and maintain soil health. It keeps the act of gardening as natural as possible, rejecting the practice of frequent digging that disturbs soil life.

But although no-till gardening saves time and effort, it isn’t going to lead to an overnight success. In place of digging, gardeners need to start mulching more often to keep the soil rich and fertile for the plants. Check out these other tips for creating a sustainable garden.

Sources:

GrowVeg.com

NorthernHomestead.com