Digging Revisited

We don’t dig, it’s as simple as that.  We haven’t time to spend hours toiling with a heavy spade.  Doc spreads a thick layer of compost in October or November and that is that.

Not digging protects the soil and there is substantial research to prove this.  The more the soil is disturbed, the fewer worms are found in it.  With regular surface composting (mulching), the worm population increases and it is the worms that improve the soil structure.  They create tunnels which aerate the soil and allow rainfall to penetrate and their casts are rich in nutrients.  Not digging also maintains important fungus-like networks and this increases the plants’ ability to resist pests and diseases.

Adding compost on the surface does introduce a few weed seeds but it covers up those already there which means they have no light and cannot grow.  We have very few weeds in our raised beds.  The no dig method works for us and it is noticeable how the worm population has increased year on year.  It is also noticeable how a thick layer of compost helps to retain the moisture too.  It is a win win situation.

So being a no-digger I wasn’t sure how I felt about digging over a bed yesterday.  A group of us volunteer at a local special school and a bed containing soft fruit bushes had been severely neglected.  The grass and weeds were a spade deep so there was nothing we could do other than set to work, with grim determination.

I had forgotten how back breaking digging is!  Conversation was brisk and light hearted for the first hour but as we dug on through the next hour, there was quite a lot of heavy breathing.  Since we have had a lot of rain recently, our spades cut through the soil relatively easily but moisture adds weight and the soil seemed to get heavier as the afternoon progressed!  It was a quite a work out but there was an impressive pile of grassy clods to put on the compost heap.

When I got home, my tea and chocolate digestive biscuits were restorative rather than a treat.  Perhaps I would not be able to get up tomorrow...?  I ran a hot bath and enjoyed a good, long soak.  But however tired I felt, we had got the job done and with some weed suppressing membrane on top, the bed will be as good as new next season. 

I expected to feel pain when I woke up this morning but everything was in full working order.  In fact, I spent a couple of hours in the garden.  Suddenly, digging feels cool, virtuous even and, yes, I feel a teensy weensy bit smug!  Not that long ago I worked in an office and could not have contemplated such heavy work and now I can dig for 2 hours.  That feels like progress.  Doc says he is relieved that the money I have spent on the garden, my pilates and keep fit sessions, has been worth it. 

But do be careful.  Digging can seriously put your back out.  Unless you are fit, stick to the no dig method and avoid overgrown fruit beds!