Organic Gardening

The UK's leading no-dig gardening expert, Charles Dowding, shares his organic approach to growing healthy, vibrant crops.The no-dig approach to gardening - based on the key principle of leaving the ground as undisturbed as possible - has gained popularity in recent years as a more efficient, economical and sustainable way to grow healthy plants.Packed with easy-to-follow advice, Organic Gardening reveals the art of the no-dig approach and the techniques required to grow organic crops while enhancing soil structure.By employing the simplicity of the no-dig technique and using a system of permanent, slightly raised beds, Charles Dowding shows how to grow a delicious variety of fruit and vegetables sustainably and organically: what to choose; when to sow, plant and harvest; and how best to avoid pests and diseases.From sowing seeds and making compost to harvesting summer salads and winter vegetables, this accessible guide is an essential resource for beginners and experienced gardeners.

Foreword by Patrick Holden, CBE, Founder of the Sustainable Food Trust & ex-director of The Soil Association Introduction Part 1: Letting Nature Nurture your GardenThe art of not digging The basics Deciding what to grow What's in season? Living with pests Sowing seeds, raising plants Making compost The moon Part 2: Healthy HarvestsSummer salads Winter salads Alliums Choice of roots Savouring summer Brassicas Tomatoes, greenhouse vegetables and unusual vegetables Perennial vegetables Herbs and edible flowers Tree fruit and nuts Soft fruit (berries) Postscript Appendix: Dig/no-dig experiment at Lower Farm Resources Bibliography Main index Index of recipes