Charles Dowding S No Dig Gardening Course 1

An in-depth course for experienced gardeners or those new to no dig gardening This book is for anyone wishing to learn the no dig method from the beginning, or to consolidate what they already know: it helps readers to see the simplicity of no dig, why it works so well, and how much time they can save. The course has six modules and totals 18 lessons, each one packed with easy-to-understand theory and practical advice. The lessons are beautifully illustrated with fully explained photos from Charles's no dig gardens. At the end of each lesson there is a multiple-choice quiz to consolidate learning, with answers in the appendix. This book will have a sequel, based on Charles's second online course.

Work in partnership with nature to nurture your soil for healthy plants and bumper crops - without back-breaking effort! Have you ever wondered how to transform a weedy plot into a thriving vegetable garden? Well now you can! By following the simple steps set out in No Dig, in just a few short hours you can revolutionize your vegetable patch with plants already in the ground from day one! Charles Dowding is on a mission to teach that there is no need to dig over the soil, but by minimizing intervention you are actively boosting soil productivity. In fact, The less you dig, the more you preserve soil structure and nurture the fungal mycelium vital to the health of all plants. This is the essence of the No Dig system that Charles Dowding has perfected over a lifetime growing vegetables. So put your gardening gloves on and get ready to discover: - Guides and calendars of when to sow, grow, and harvest. - Inspiring information and first-hand guidance from the author - “Delve deeper” features look in-depth at the No Dig system and the facts and research that back it up. - The essential role of compost and how to make your own at home. - The importance of soil management, soil ecology, and soil health. Now one of the hottest topics in environmental science, this "wood-wide web" has informed Charles's practice for decades, and he's proven it isn't just trees that benefit - every gardener can harness the power of the wood-wide web. Featuring newly- commissioned step-by-step photography of all stages of growing vegetables and herbs, and all elements of No Dig growing, shot at Charles’s beautiful market garden in Somerset, you too will be able to grow more veg with less time and effort, and in harmony with nature - so join the No Dig revolution today! A must-have volume for followers of Charles Dowding who fervently believe in his approach to low input, high yield gardening, as well as gardeners who want to garden more lightly on the earth, with environmentally friendly techniques like organic and No Dig.

A second "gardening course in a book" from master gardener Charles Dowding: 18 lessons, and over 900 photos with detailed captions Grow creatively, learn new skills, save time, enjoy growing success! Includes detailed information on: how to create planting plans: succession and interplanting plant propagation spacing, picking methods, and watering using covers for both warmth and pest protection. how to grow herbs and perennial vegetables how to grow in containers how to multisow Charles Dowding explains the skills and understandings you need, the essentials of gardening success, whether the space you are gardening is large or small. His approach sometimes diverges from the mainstream because he assays and develops new or lesser-known methods, for easier and better results. Lessons Skills and Knowledge Fully Use your Time and Space: how to maximise growth, efficiently Sketch Out the Year: examples of plans and successions for three beds Succession and Rotation: How to plan for and succeed with new plantings throughout summer and into autumn, what can follow what Winter Gardening: Growing and preparing for winter, and harvesting during the hungry gap Perennial Vegetables and Raspberries A growing manual of 12 perennial food plants, Herbs: How to sow, harvest and maintain annuals and perennials, from basil and coriander to sage and thyme Seeds and Sowing: How to source, buy and save seeds, with illustrations of seed saving Propagation Skills: The biggest lesson, packed with information on this important subject Multisowing: Inter-sowing is a form of companion planting, because seedlings like 'nurse plants' nearby, and plants generally like being close to other plants: why and how, many examples, a big timesaver and garden filler! Close Spacings: How and when to do it and why this works so well within reason; details for many vegetables Wider Spacings: Many examples and explanations, see the results from small plants to harvests Planting Methods: Sowing direct, ways to transplant and how to do it quickly Picking Skills: When to pick for different vegetables, seasons, plant growth and harvest requirements Picking Skills(2): More on picking, including discussions and examples of cutting, Small-space Growing: Vegetables in containers, sacks, vertical and one bed Early Cropping and Covers: Using fleece and mesh, their relative values and effects in different seasons Water, Frost, Moon, Energy: How to water, what you need to know about frost and some of my "secrets" of lateral thinking, plus action Note that this is a companion, not a sequel to No Dig Gardening, Course 1. Reading the first course book is not a prerequisite for using this book to garden better!

'No dig' gardening saves time and work. In this book, no dig experts Charles Dowding and Stephanie Hafferty explain how to set up a no dig garden. They describe how to make compost, enrich soil, harvest and prepare food and make natural beauty and cleaning products. These approaches work as well in small spaces as in large gardens

Charles Dowding, the master of no-dig gardening, developed his highly successful methods of vegetable growing through 30 years experience of growing and selling vegetables and extensive experiments. Through his courses at Lower Farm in Somerset and his three previous books, he has won a keen following. Beginners and experienced veg growers alike find that his methods work and that he opens their minds to new possibilities. Now he has distilled the essence of his courses and ideas into one book. In it you will find out how to grow vegetables the Charles Dowding way. Charles Dowding's Vegetable Course is both a straightforward guide to success and an inspiring source of ideas for achieving a more productive vegetable garden for less effort. Lower Farm, run by Charles and Susie Dowding, has been part of Sawday's Special Places to Stay collection for 12 years. Click the link on the left to visit Sawday's to find out about accommodation at Lower Farm and our other characterful, independently-run places to stay across the UK and Europe. All have been inspected and selected because we like them - what makes each 'special' varies hugely, but common to all are owners whose personality, friendliness and local knowledge ensure a memorable stay.

"No dig, healthy soil, fewer weeds"--cover.

In Organic Gardening Charles Dowding shares the philosophy, tips and techniques that have enabled him to run a successful organic garden supplying local restaurants and shops for over 25 years. * Forget the 'received wisdom' about gardening. Observe what is going on in the soil and with your plants, in your own garden and climate. * Respect and encourage life as much as you can, chiefly by spreading good compost or manure. * There is no need to dig in compost and manure - just spread it on top and let worms take it in. Digging can harm soil structure, and is not helpful to plants. Based on his experience of using a system of permanent raised beds, Charles takes you through a delicious variety of fruit and vegetables: explaining what to choose, when to plant and harvest, and how best to avoid pests and diseases. With simple recipes for your fresh-picked produce, this second edition features new photographs and more tips and advice.

Widen your winter horizons and enjoy an abundance of vegetables at the darkest time of year in this lovely book. Many people believe that not much grows in winter, but a well-organised plot can still be productive with careful planning. In fact, many salads can be grown in winter, especially with a little protection from fleece, cloches or larger structures. Written by organic gardening expert Charles Dowding, this guide explains how you can come through winter with plenty of vegetables stored and ready to harvest. Beautifully designed with full-colour photographs from Martin's garden, How to Grow Winter Vegetables includes an extensive month-by-month sowing, planting and growing calendar, as well as plenty of tips on storing produce. Martin shares harvesting guidance, from garlic in July right through to spring cabbage and pea shoots in May. The guide also includes a whole section on frost-hardy salad plants and other vegetables. How to Grow Winter Vegetables is a useful resource for anyone looking to utilise their garden and grow fresh produce throughout the year.