Ruth Stout (1930s) may have been the person to originate no dig gardening. And maybe she wasn't the first. But we shouldn't forget her and her pioneering work.
Yes, I think there are a number of people that brought it into the modern era, in one form of or another. Ruth certainly is one. Wasn't there also a gardener at Levens Hall in the 40s? I am sure there are more, reaching far back through the centuries. So we can't really say that one person originated the method.
Before I started my own no-dig journey and found Charles' no-dig method, I was reading about several cultures spanning hundreds of years where shallow rocky soil meant the only way to grow crops was by piling organic material on top. I'd say contemporary 'no-dig' is more of a rediscovery and evolution of ancient techniques and for my money, Charles has been the one to make it contemporary by 'bringing it to the masses'.
I think that’s likely. We know too little of the innovations and experiments of the amateur problem solving so called peasant. (We were not really peasants in the uk but you know what I mean.)
This is all amazing, looks fantastic. I've already made my garden but I wish I had found you earlier! Never mind - we still haven't done any paths (they are there but are just grassy paths through everything else, some with stone edges, some not. So I'd love to hear more about the ins and outs of path making and the pros and cons of various materials to use. I quite like the grassy paths now they are there!
Thank you so much! That's great feedback, thank you. I was planning on writing a piece about my garden path adventures. Should be out in a few weeks. I was waiting to see what Spring would bring in the way of weeds trying to push through. So far, so good.
That’s great! We have lots more other things to do in our garden, so no doubt the paths will take a back seat for another year, and I can learn from you first 😃
Your garden is gorgeous! And those IG peeps who are absolutists are for the birds. I mean, you can't properly plant a tree without digging -- even Dowding does. Honestly. Bravo, you!
Ruth Stout (1930s) may have been the person to originate no dig gardening. And maybe she wasn't the first. But we shouldn't forget her and her pioneering work.
Yes, I think there are a number of people that brought it into the modern era, in one form of or another. Ruth certainly is one. Wasn't there also a gardener at Levens Hall in the 40s? I am sure there are more, reaching far back through the centuries. So we can't really say that one person originated the method.
Before I started my own no-dig journey and found Charles' no-dig method, I was reading about several cultures spanning hundreds of years where shallow rocky soil meant the only way to grow crops was by piling organic material on top. I'd say contemporary 'no-dig' is more of a rediscovery and evolution of ancient techniques and for my money, Charles has been the one to make it contemporary by 'bringing it to the masses'.
I think that’s likely. We know too little of the innovations and experiments of the amateur problem solving so called peasant. (We were not really peasants in the uk but you know what I mean.)
Hehe! I know... ;-)
This is all amazing, looks fantastic. I've already made my garden but I wish I had found you earlier! Never mind - we still haven't done any paths (they are there but are just grassy paths through everything else, some with stone edges, some not. So I'd love to hear more about the ins and outs of path making and the pros and cons of various materials to use. I quite like the grassy paths now they are there!
Thank you so much! That's great feedback, thank you. I was planning on writing a piece about my garden path adventures. Should be out in a few weeks. I was waiting to see what Spring would bring in the way of weeds trying to push through. So far, so good.
That’s great! We have lots more other things to do in our garden, so no doubt the paths will take a back seat for another year, and I can learn from you first 😃
Ooh, exciting! Thankfully, for once, I have a year off from big projects. Ah, thanks! I hope I prove instructive!
Thank you Elliott, a great read as usual.
Thank you very much! Great to hear you enjoyed it!
Your garden is gorgeous! And those IG peeps who are absolutists are for the birds. I mean, you can't properly plant a tree without digging -- even Dowding does. Honestly. Bravo, you!
Thank you so much. That’s very kind. I really appreciate this.
My husband is mixing compost even as I read! Thank you for the inspiration!
Ah, fantastic! That’s wonderful to hear… although your husband probably doesn’t like me very much right now ;-)