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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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