We took over our allotment in late 2009, by February 2010 the main bed approximately 4m x 10m had been dug over leaving huge clods of soil. Fast forward about five years I read an article of No Dig written by Charles Dowding in a newspaper and concluded, ‘that will never work’!
However, being keen to expand my knowledge of allotment growing, the more I researched the more no dig and Charles' name appeared. Cautiously, I began to explore this further and decided there was no alternative but to sign up for one of Charles’ courses. When I arrived at Homeacres any apprehensions I had of no dig were immediately dispelled. My thoughts were, ‘this man knows what he’s talking about’.
Our photo shows the same bed from different angles.
1. February 2010.
2. January 2020.
3. March 2021. Reverse angle of 1 & 2.
4. October 2021. Similar angle of 3, also shows our adjoining plot, also no dig.
Since starting no dig, our home made compost production has expanded eliminating the need for any chemical fertilizers which in itself has reduced costs.
Since adding this allotment to the map, I have taken on a second! This one is also one the map, in Pensford, Bristol.
