Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Putting spits in the trench upside down.
As you can see from the photo tutorial, preparing raised beds
by double-digging is a pretty straightforward and very
physical process. It is great exercise and loosens the soil to a
depth of two feet, placing organic material throughout the
entire depth. The yields from beds that I work like this are
phenomenal!
What about “No-Dig” Beds?
In my experience, I have found nothing that competes, in
terms of sheer productivity, with properly double-dug raised
beds. However, this can be a lot of work, and folks without a
lot of time or with physical disabilities might not want to
undertake the effort. You can still get very good results,
though, using a no-dig method that I've tested.
Save up old newspapers—just the black-and- white portions,
not the glossy parts. In the fall, build your frame out of 2 × 4
lumber right on the ground. Lay down the newspaper several
layers thick, and then fill the bed completely with finished
compost. Don't skip the newspapers because their purpose is
to smother the grass underneath. If the grass isn't smothered,
and if you are using only 2 × 4 lumber, you'll end up with a
lot of grass growing in the bed.
