During April, I had the pleasure of breaking up a long car trip at the halfway point in Roseville, Oregon to experience the wonders of the Douglas County Master Gardener’s Discovery Garden. This beautifully maintained, multi-acre demonstration garden, is divided into several focuses. Plants are labeled and information is available on the plants and various gardening techniques. If you are driving South, this is worthwhile stopping point.
Aside from the extensive, lovely perennial gardens, the focus that caught my interest was the large, no-till demonstration garden for vegetables. This gardening technique has been calling to me (and my aging back) for a long time.
Most beds there were still planted in a winter cover crop of clover. If you, like me, are interested in discovering more about this technique, go to the OSU Extension Service and read: No-Till Gardening Keeps Soil and Plants Healthy.
Author, Kym Pokorny, explains, “No-till gardening minimizes soil disturbance, which compacts it and destroys the pathways that channel air and water through the soil”. Also described is a detailed plan for creating “lasagna-style beds” that can even be built on top of the lawn!
I wondered if this could also work with my raised beds. Apparently so, according to this article by Bonnie Kirn Donahue, Extension Master Gardener, University of Vermont. Although this information comes from across the country, the information is relevant to my needs. Ms. Donahue emphasizes the importance of soil testing with a no-till raised bed, while explaining the reasoning and the process. Here’s her method for creating a no-till, raised bed:
The No-Till Raised Bed
“To start a no-till raised bed, in the spring, add one to two inches of compost to the top of the soil, without mixing it in. Plant your garden in the compost. In the fall, cut back your plants without pulling up the roots. Disease-free plant material can be cut into smaller pieces and spread over the surface of the bed to break down through the winter. Plant a cover crop such as grain rye in the bed, or add a layer of straw, hay or leaves to protect the soil through the winter. By the following spring, the organic material will have broken down.
Without disturbing the soil, apply another one to two inches of compost on top without mixing it in, and then plant your garden in this. Over time, the layers of organic material will break down and boost soil fertility and structure, providing healthy, strong and delicious produce for your table. By the following spring, the organic material will have broken down. Without disturbing the soil, apply another one to two inches of compost on top without mixing it in, and then plant your garden in this. Over time, the layers of organic material will break down and boost soil fertility and structure, providing healthy, strong and delicious produce for your table.”
Bonnie Kirn Donahu, Extension Master Gardener, University of Vermont
I’m ready to give it a try: Be sure to let me know if you decide to try it too.
If you have a horticulture question that I can look into for our next Garden Club newsletter, please send me a note below
Stay Calm & Garden on
Christine Pritts
