Charles Dowding: No dig gardening

Daniel.Mav

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2016
Messages
97
Location
Greenbank
Climate
Sub-Tropical
I’m considering buying the no dog gardening book written but Charles Dowding but I’m worried that it’s not going to be relevant enough for our climate.
Has anyone already bought the book and found it relevant for a subtropical climate?
 

ClissAT

Valued Member
Premium Member
GOLD
Joined
Sep 27, 2015
Messages
1,842
Location
Pomona, Qld
Climate
Sub-Tropical
Daniel, I would recommend you read everything written by Graeme Sait of Nutri-Tech Solutions, Yandina, SE Qld.
You can also find his TED speeches on youtube along with several other of his videos.
He practises what he preaches on his farm a little inland from Yandina.
He is all about biological farming both on a household and commercial farming size.
He advocates minimal to zero tillage which is actually better than the No-Dig philosophy because it harnesses the biom, bacterial and fungi balance in the soil.
He backs up all his statements and actions with science.
He travels the world educating people on his methods. He helps develop farms worldwide on every type of soil possible.
If you wish, you can do an extensive course at the certified organic NTS farm.
Every product made or advocated by NTS is available in either home size or commercial size from their Yandina shop front and factory or online.

NTS blog where Graeme writes:-
https://blog.nutri-tech.com.au

You can sign up for his free booklet Nutrition Matters which will give you a basic insight. If you belong to Yandina or Noosa Permaculture groups, you get the privilage of hearing him speak twice yearly at their meetings for free. Whenever he is speaking at home, I always try my best to go. I alway take notes and have to write very fast because he speaks very fast because he has so much info to impart in such a short time frame!

http://www.nutri-tech.com.au/

You don't necessarily have to buy their products. Actually you should only buy product if your soil is lacking. But by reading the blog you will educate yourself about everything to do with growing healthy food in the best and most healthy productive soil possible.
To grow food that will sustain you in a healthy condition, requires the best, most balanced soil possible. This applies to fruit and veg as well as food producing animals. He advocates the use of a Brix meter to prove whether you are succeeding.

We are what we eat!
 
Last edited:

OskarDoLittle

Valued Member
Premium Member
GOLD
Joined
Jan 10, 2016
Messages
359
Location
Brisbane
Climate
Sub-Tropical
I do love Charles Dowding...and I think many of the no dig philosophies are transportable to Australia. But I agree Daniel.Mav - you’d have to adapt for plants that are seasonal here. Basically though I think the notion of planting direct into compost is quite universal...esp if making your own compost rather than buying it - but you’re going to have to make a LOT of compost. I think he tops the beds every 12 months. And depending on your garden size, that could take some time to get up and running. He does also buy in mushroom compost and well composted cow poo from local farmers (not commercially produced I’ve noticed) - and that should be equally achievable here. I haven’t gone so far as to buy the book though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DTK

billfromlachine

Member
Premium Member
Joined
May 31, 2019
Messages
21
Climate
Cold, Cool, Mountains, or Artic
I've bought a Charles Dowding book on the no dig method and I'd highly recommend it he's very knowledgable and gardening is gardening no matter where you are located. The plants and timeline may vary somewhat based on your location.
He also has a lot of videos on youtube you can watch for free.
Regards from Canada
Bill
 
  • Like
Reactions: DTK

Daniel.Mav

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2016
Messages
97
Location
Greenbank
Climate
Sub-Tropical
Cheers mate, I ended up buying his book and I agree, the knowledge and strategies work in all areas with some tweaking. Cheers for the heads up on the videos.
 

billfromlachine

Member
Premium Member
Joined
May 31, 2019
Messages
21
Climate
Cold, Cool, Mountains, or Artic
Daniel, I'm glad you found the book helpful and good luck with your gardening projects going forward.
Regards from Canada
Bill
 
  • Like
Reactions: DTK
Top Bottom