How to Create a No Dig Garden

Co-authored by Lauren Kurtz

Last Updated: February 22, 2024 References

Gardening is fun and rewarding, but the digging process can be tiresome. That’s why a no-dig garden is a great alternative solution to the typical garden. Making a no-dig garden is similar to composting, meaning ingredients are layered to decompose the soil. Vegetables such as kale, chicory, corn, and tomatoes can be grown in your garden. This type of garden can be set up in 1 day. Preparing the no-dig garden can be quite a workout, but the veggies you will grow within 2 to 4 months of planting will save you several trips to the grocery store!

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Setting up the Location

1
Choose a level site for your no-dig garden. A good amount of space is 4 by 5 feet (1.2 by 1.5 m), though you can make it smaller or larger. An ideal area should get 4 to 5 hours of sunlight a day.^{[1]
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- If the area is not very level, even it out with garden tools. Then, then fill in the gaps with things like twigs, leaves, and bark.
2
Contain the garden by building a wall around it. This is optional, but it can be helpful when it comes to containing your garden in one space. You can use wooden planks, or you can use materials such as branches, bricks, or rocks.^{[2]
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- The material you choose for your garden wall largely depends on cost and the look you’re going for. For example, wooden planks are commonly used and look nice, but they are more expensive than branches.
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Once you've cut the grass and weeds, do not remove these cuttings from the area. If you leave them there, they can help fertilize your no dig garden!^{[3]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Adding Layers to the Garden

1
Cover the area with 3 inches (7.6 cm) of mulch. You can also use old hay or collect leaves in autumn to use as mulch. The hay or leaves will gradually break down and nourish the soil underneath, and while they do, they will keep moisture in and weeds in check.^{[4]
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- You can also purchase mulch from your local nursery.
- Another option for the bottom layer is plain, brown cardboard.
2
Use newspapers as a barrier between the ground and your garden. Avoid glossy or colored print or advertising brochures, and opt for basic newsprint instead.^{[5]
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- You will need quite a bit of newspaper, so it is helpful to save newspapers for a few weeks.
3
Fill a large container with water and insert the newspaper. The newspapers need to be wet when they are laid out on the mowed or cut ground. Leave the newspaper until it is completely wet and then remove.^{[6]
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- A wheelbarrow is ideal to use because it can be easily transported, but any large container will work.
4
Layer 3-4 sheets of newspaper on top of the mulch, making sure to overlap. Your newspapers should have between 1 and 2 inches (2.5 and 5.1 cm) of overlap. Make sure you cover the entire space in your garden.^{[7]
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- Spread thickly enough, the paper and other matter will block light to whatever weeds or sod you cover with it.
- Certain weeds, such as Bermuda grass, don't respond especially well to smothering and seem to come up through just about anything. If you try newspaper for such weeds, use extra newspaper (around 10-20 sheets) and make sure that the offending weeds remain buried on all sides for at least 2 years.
- Use more paper if the ground is uneven.
Lucerne hay is ideal to use for this layer. It can be purchased from horse stables or your local gardening store. If you can’t find Lucerne hay, you can also use straw mixed with grass clippings.^{[8]
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After the Lucerne hay, water the area until it is wet but not soaking. Continue to water after each layer you put down.^{[9]
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7
Spread a 1 inch (2.5 cm) layer of fertilizer over the hay. Try natural commercial fertilizer. You can also use well-rotted horse, chicken, or cow manure as fertilizer.^{[10]
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- You can purchase fertilizer at your local gardening store. If you are using commercial fertilizer, use less than 1 in (2.5 cm).
This is just your basic straw that is very easy to find. Make sure to cover the entire garden area.^{[11]
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You can use the same mulch that you used underneath the newspaper. You only need 1 inch (2.5 cm), though you can use more if you'd like.^{[12]
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10
Water the established area thoroughly. Once your no-dig garden is established, it will retain water. However, while it's being established, water runoff and dry soil are a concern. Check the soil daily, and make sure to water to keep the soil damp, if necessary.^{[13]
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- You can also let the next rainstorm do the job. If you do let a rainstorm water your garden, it won’t be necessary to water it yourself until the soil begins to dry out.
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Planting in Your Garden

Consider your climate and the time of year you’re creating your garden when choosing what vegetables to plant. If you live in a cooler climate or if it will be fairly cool during the growing season, like 50 to 70 °F (10 to 21 °C), then considering plants such as broccoli. Along with broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, turnips, onions, and peas are ideal for cooler temperatures because they can withstand a light frost.^{[14]
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Choose vegetables like carrots during cool to warmer weather. Vegetables such as carrots, cabbage, radish, and lettuce grow well in intermediate temperatures between 60 to 80 °F (16 to 27 °C). If you try to grow these vegetables in colder or much warmer temperatures, there’s a good chance they will not grow well or at all.^{[15]
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- Parsnip, leek, and celery also grow well in intermediate temperatures.
3
Pick vegetables like corn in warm to hot weather. Along with corn, potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, and beans grow well in temperatures between 60 to 80 °F (16 to 27 °C). These plants should not be exposed to frost. So make sure the majority of growing time is during warm weather for any of these vegetables.^{[16]
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- Capsicum and all vine crops also grow well in warm weather.
You can dig the holes with your hands or another instrument. Each hole should be at least 3 inches (7.6 cm) apart.^{[17]
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The holes should be almost or completely filled with the compost.^{[18]
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You can plant 2 to 3 seedlings per hole.^{[19]
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How often you water your garden largely depends on what you plant. Check your garden daily to see how wet or dry the soil is. Water whenever the soil feels dry.^{[20]
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Certain vegetables will grow and be ready to harvest at different times during the year. For example, your broccoli will grow and be ready during a cooler time of year—like autumn. But your tomatoes will grow and be ready for your salad during warm weather. Watch for your vegetables to reach full size and whichever color represents ripeness for each type of vegetable before picking.^{[21]
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You can make compost out of things like yard clippings, table scraps, eggshells, and leaves. Compost at the beginning of spring and at the beginning of autumn if you plan to do it twice a year.^{[22]
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The drawing of the garden at the top details a size of garden of four inches by five inches. What can be grown here?

Community Answer

Most smaller and above-ground vegetables, and just about all herbs. You can also make notes of what's at your local nursery in small pots for flowers.

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How do I remove tomato plants from a raised bed? My problem is I have too many plants in the raised bed, so I want to move some to pots. Any suggestions?

Donagan

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Dig up the plant without touching the roots if possible. Tomato roots can be fairly large, depending on your watering pattern. Let the soil ball be almost as big as the pot you'll put it in. Keep it well watered afterward.

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Tips

Manure is the ideal fertilizer for this type of garden. It is more natural, and when building a garden, the more natural, the better.

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Plan paths alongside your bed so that you can avoid walking in it. Walking on soil compresses it, which is not desirable in planting areas.

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Don’t worry too much about using exact measurements when making your layers—there are no exact measurements in nature! Use whatever appropriate materials you have available. The layering of different materials is the most important part.

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