Spring is here, which means the trees and shrubs aren’t the only things that are blossoming. So too is the itch in every gardener’s mind to start work on this year’s blooms.
We don’t want to prune your enthusiasm, but you might want to sheath the shovel and stow the hoe, as the prevailing wisdom on soil science is to go easy on the earth in your garden. No-dig gardening is fast becoming the way to grow for soil scientists and horticulturists alike. The rationale is simple: it’s a greener, easier way to grow plants and vegetables.
But why is digging no good? “Digging disrupts natural processes that keep soil healthy and productive,” says Guy Barter, chief horticulturist at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). “Minimising cultivation is desirable when trying to grow plants in ways that have the least environmental impact.”