Global Ecovillage Network/Solution Library/No till gardening

▼This solution entry was ported from the Global Ecovillage Network's Solutions Library.This is open edit, but please leave your comments on the talk page before editing.

A complex, symbiotic relationship exists between the soil surface and the underlying micro-organisms, however, which contributes to a natural, healthy soil structure. Digging into the bed can interfere with this process and disturb the natural growing environment. It can also cause soil compaction and erosion, and bring dormant weed seeds to the surface where they will sprout.

The benefits of no-till gardening are therefore numerous: it promotes natural aeration and drainage, it saves water, reduces or eliminates the need to weed, it saves time and energy, it builds earthworm population and helps to reduce the soil erosion and to retain carbon.

No-till gardening requires some experimenting to find the right techniques for each growing region but oneself can find a good documentation about how to apply principles of no-till gardening (Preparing the bed before adopting the no-till method, using mulch liberally, in layers; when planting seedlings, pull the mulch back and dig into the surface just enough to set the plant; cuting back on watering; covering cropswith hay in the winter; avoiding compacting the soil etc.)

• Ecology
  • Seeds, Food & Soil

• http://permacultureideas.blogspot.co.uk/2010/06/one-straw-revolution-ebook-free-to.html
• http://learn.eartheasy.com/2009/01/no-till-gardening/#sthash.IT4lO0UH.dpuf