Charles Dowding’s No Dig Gardening: Course 1

From Weeds to Vegetables Easily and Quickly

By: Charles Dowding

Narrated by: Charles Dowding

Compared to Charles' other books, this is more about no dig, eliminating weeds, garden layout, compost making, and using compost. There is also a history of no-dig vegetable gardening in the last 100 years. I want listeners to understand the context and the reasons why no dig has not been much valued until recently, and why it is now.

There is a section on site evaluation and creating beds and paths. Then comes a whole section on clearing weeds by mulching, so that you can have clean soil and less weed pressure. More time to be creative.

There are two sections with detailed planting plans for small spaces. These are based on what Charles grew then harvested there in successive seasons, and how no dig helped to achieve these results.

This audiobook has 18 sections, covering the key methods and wonderful results of no dig, from starting with weeds to sowing and planting straightaway, and cropping soon after.

You learn how to:

• Start out no dig
• Save time and avoid unnecessary effort
• Create and look after beds and paths, with a whole section on paths and their value
• Recognize and reduce the different types of weeds
• Understand and use different types of mulch or soil cover
• Know the differences between soil, compost, and different types of compost
• Make compost
• Grow an abundance of vegetables

©2019 Charles Dowding (P)2022 ToneTalk Audio - Tim Fitzpatrick

Insightful

Very insightful information. I love the comparison Charles is given based on his personal experience. I wish he has done some experiments with the Ruth Stout method. I highly recommend this book.

Dig that NO DIG. YAHOO!

Easy listening voice of Mr Dowding makes this an enjoyable experience. The breadth of his knowledge and joy he expresses during descriptions is excellent. His KISS principles of organic gardening make the work easier not harder. “Feed the soil not the plants”is always on my mind while gardening.

B. Smith MD

Charles Dowding for president

Make farming great again! We all need to follow this briliant info for great soil

Great book

Beautiful book. Charles has an unmatched love for gardening and teaching. Great for all levels of gardeners

Good Into to No Dig Gardening

I have watched Charles Dowlings YouTube videos and have tried (successfully)his methods in some of my gardens. I am a relatively new gardener and I found this book helped build my understanding of why these methods work. With 4 chapters on weeds-yes weeds- and an excellent section on compost- this book gets pretty detailed and is full of practical advice. If you haven’t watched Dowling’s videos you might find his delivery off-putting. However I could imagine him walking through his garden and talking to us as he does in the videos. This book helped deepen my understanding of why no dig methods he had developed work. Emphasizing soil health results in healthy plants.

No dig gardening

His way of gardening is amazingly encouraging. He made it simple not complicated and I did enjoy listening to him. Thank you so much. From Boston, Massachusetts.

Probably the only gardening book you'll ever need!

This has all the information you'll need for growing vegetables. There are other books like Teaming with Microbes that goo deeper into the science but not necessary for good results.

Fantastic!!!!

Superb and easy to understand. No dog is the way to go. Thank you for this information and your life work.

I really like Charles Dowding!

I'm pleased to learn that Charles narrated his book and as a new gardener I'm gaining valuable wisdom in understanding soil life and how all of this works naturally. I'm happy to spend a credit on his book! I've recently started a compost heap and now I have another. Extremely grateful for this education! I learned of Charles Dowding when Jess, in Roots and Refuge on YouTube mentioned his name. I quickly subscribed to his channel. Thank you, Charles Dowding!

This Makes Sense

I have been flower gardening for my entire life and have done no dig as well. This book brings it all together and confirms all of my beliefs about no dig. The style is conversational with little stories sprinkled in. I will listen to it over and over again! No dig is the only way!