An Introduction to No-Dig Gardening

 

No dig new bit of garden with newly planted Artichokes  - Flickr

The idea of no-dig gardening was developed by an Australian named Esther Deans. It was originally both developed both as a labor-saving idea and a method to rejuvenate badly depleted soil in a vegetable garden.

The process involves starting with layers of newspaper, and by adding lucerne hay, straw and compost in succeeding layers, you can create a growing medium without resorting to heavy digging, and one that is rich in nutrients and which will simplify weeding and encourage your much-desired plants to grow. The layers compost together, and greatly encourage earthworms. The gardens are maintained by adding manure, compost, etc., and should not be dug up, as this will undo the good work. I have used this approach to creating vegetable gardens, and it certainly does work.

The principle of not digging has sound foundations. Excessive cultivation of the soil, especially when very wet or very dry, will damage the structure of the soil, and lead to compaction. Such excessive cultivation can also discourage the earthworms, and they are the best free labor a gardener has.

Some followers of permaculture and organic gardening have translated no-dig into never-dig, which I believe is sadly mistaken. If you start with a base soil that is badly compacted, then your no-dig garden will initially work well, but you may find your garden does not continue to perform well. The fertile layer you have built up will encourage the earthworms, but we do know that the worms need to shelter from excessively hot, dry, cold, or wet conditions. They have been found to seek shelter from extreme conditions by burrowing more deeply into the soil, sometimes many feet down. If they cannot shelter in this way, it is my contention that they will die out or move out. 

My belief is that initial cultivation of the soil before you apply the no-dig system will guarantee a better environment for the worms, and thus a better garden for growing your plants, over the longer term. 

By all means, give the no-dig approach a try – you will be pleased with the result.

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Battery Powered CHAINSAWS

Battery powered chainsaws are fairly rare in the United States, but if you are interested in a battery powered chainsaw you can find them.  It may take some digging to do.  There is one brand currently being offered that claims a single chain blade can cut 4,000 pieces of PVC pipe with only a small amount of oil required.

This saw has a chain tip guard to prevent kickback and extend chain life.  The electric brake stops within ½ second of releasing the trigger.  It also has hand guards.  A hex wrench allows for rapid blade changes and adjustments.

The chain guard allows fast entry to the blade and motor housing area.  The 12 V.N1-MH battery gives you a longer operating time. You can buy an optional handle if you will need a longer reach.  This 4.6-pound dynamo cuts through a variety of PVC piping diameters.

We found two other brands of battery powered chainsaws.  One made in China has a 12-volt battery and a shock absorption system. The other brand has an 18-volt battery and a 10-inch chain.  There is little information currently available on these saws and most of what is available is anecdotal.

On one message board, we found a discussion thread on cordless battery operated chainsaws.  One participant said he made 12 cuts and took down a five-inch sugar maple.

Another said he got one and it wouldn’t cut a two-inch twig – he had the chain on backward. Overall it looks like the ideal chainsaw for the occasional user who wants to do some light pruning or to take down small trees.

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Tips for GARDENING Tools

What good would a green thumb do you if you do not have some of the very essential gardening tools to make your job go a lot smoother? Here are some basics that every good gardener should have beginning with the novice all the way up to the "professional" gardener.

Outdoor tools (leaf rakes, another hand rake, a hoe etc.) stored in basement
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Gloves - You should have a good pair of waterproof gloves that fit well. You should also find some that have long cuffs. Gardening gloves seem to be best suited to fit men so women will probably have to hunt to find a good pair.

Sun hat - You should have a hat with a wide brim equipped with a drawstring cord. This should provide adequate protection from the sun. You have to make sure that your hat will not be lifted aloft when those spring winds come.

Canvas apron - A good apron to have is one that has pockets to fit some of your tools in as well as your phone. This is good when you don’t always have a chance to put on your grubbiest clothes.

Five-gallon bucket - This comes in handy to tote your tools around with you as you make your way through the flower beds. You can always toss weeds in as you are working!

Spade - This is an important tool to have but one that can easily get misplaced or thrown out by accident. It would be a good idea to get some brightly-colored tape to wrap around the handle so it will show up against the grass.

Pruners - These are great to clip back woody stems. You will get a nice, clean cut that will minimize any injury to plant tissue.

Hand rake - This is just a little bit larger than a spade and does a great job in fluffing up mulch or in

turning up very young weeds.