For Those Who Don't Like Digging

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Take a fresh look at summer cottage farming. Information on how to maintain your strength and increase fertility

The slogan "Do not dig!" or why digging is harmful

There are five reasons that confirm the harm of digging the beds.

1. Digging robs the soil of vitality

Soil should be treated like a living organism. It has a structure inhabited by lower animals and microorganisms. Turning over the layer during digging, we break the layers, alter the state, break the existing balance.

This process affects the state of microorganisms, many are deprived of their familiar environment and die. A process is taking place that will negatively affect the growth of plants. The absence of living organisms cannot replace the best fertilizers. It will take time to restore the pristine structure and vitality.

2. Violation of soil structure

The earth has peculiar microchannels, through which air and moisture enter the arable layer. How are they formed? The root system of plants goes deep and covers the top layer with its branches. Each root is dotted with many sucking hairs that form a whole network. After the stem dies off, microorganisms feed on the remaining roots. As a result, channels-conductors for water and air appear. And subsequent generations of plants are provided with a ready-made vital system. Digging destroys this system and plant roots are deprived of the ability to fully "breathe" and "drink".

The usual autumn digging is done to combat pests that have settled down for the winter, for water to penetrate into the lower layers during spring snowmelt and moisture saturation. Yes, some of the harmful insects will die, the soil will be enriched with moisture, but … we will disrupt the natural air and air exchange. The channels created by the roots and bacteria will be completely destroyed and the new plants will not be comfortable.

3. Weed seeds

After ripening, all weed seeds lie on the surface. Digging the soil, we immerse them in the ground, where they do not freeze, they are better preserved and germinate together in spring.

4. Exposure of the soil

Digging up the beds in the fall, we leave the soil "bare". It lacks an upper protective layer, which leads to drying out and easy self-seeding of weeds. What happens naturally? Nature takes care of itself and covers the ground with fallen leaves, dying grasses. It is an organic feed, protection from frost, drying out, destruction and exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

5. Humus

Useful humus is found on the surface after digging. Subsequently, it is destroyed and washed out, which leads to the depletion of the fertile layer. The absence of this valuable substance negatively affects the yield.

What if you don't dig?

The aspiration of every gardener, florist, gardener is aimed at a good growing result. The main role in this matter is played by the soil, therefore the main task is to maintain fertility. The underground inhabitants need a natural environment and green organic matter.

And yet the question arises: "how to cultivate the land?", "How to prepare for planting?" Indeed, for sowing seeds, planting seedlings, the soil must be loose. It is not necessary to use a shovel for this job. Take a flat cutter, with a pointed end, draw grooves along and across. Sufficient depth will be 5 cm. After that, trim / turn the resulting grooves with the flat part.

Such work can be done with a sharpened hoe, an ordinary rake, a Strizh weeder and other garden tools that are well sharpened and will not sink below 5 cm. As a result, the top layer is ready for planting seeds. When the plant begins to develop, its roots will easily penetrate into the lower layers, where microchannels will provide them with good living conditions.

Now you know how to properly cultivate the land without time-consuming digging. Loosening the top layer is sufficient for sowing and growing. Use this method to have more time for rest and other useful activities.