No Dig Tour, winter's legacy and looking forward

[@GoGracefully]

It takes a real humble person to give a tour of a "catalogue of disasters." Charles you are my mentor and a true inspiration to all gardeners. Kudos sir!

[@miramirez3574]

Agreed.

[@smas3256]

Go Gracefully. Charles said many more frost and unusual. I told him he is getting all my frosty weather from East Coast USA.

[@kayreynolds3801]

It helps to inspire others as nothing is ever perfect and this has been a tricky winter with plant losses.

[@afriendtoo6971]

Zone 6 Kentucky last year and it was a disaster. Many neighbors said the same thing. Fruit trees were very disappointing too. Praying for a better year this year.

[@growitplantit4390]

I just love how you waste nothing.... you even stuff a tiny Brussel Sprout in your pocket for later. You are a true gardener. 😇

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

🏆 good luck

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

haha thanks!

[@dralexmedmd]

"a catalogue of disaster" - winter tour! I love this video and how a master gardener humbly admits to his lessons :)

[@jasonhatfield4747]

So helpful to see your garden when it's not at it's peak. It does really give us newbies some hope, haha. I also really appreciate your laid back attitude towards growing vegetables. I often get myself too worked up worrying about not having an exact plan or getting behind on things. Watching your videos helps me recalibrate and relax a little!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

So nice to see this Jason!

[@michaspringphul]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig btw regarding the spinach. Idk if you already tried it, but the New Zealander Spinach is a phenomenal plant. It produces a huge amount of tasty leaves. I really can recommend it.

[@GordonjSmith1]

I love the way that you give confidence to growers to 'give things a try'! It is such a supportive statement. Additionally by underlining how little effort 'no dig' is, you highlight that 'giving things a try' is really not the big investment in time and energy that so many gardening 'experts' make it out to be. My thanks.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice to hear 💚

[@MeusPaisMeusAmores]

Indeed!

[@MikesAllotment]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one to have lost things like Purple Sprouting Broccoli, Cauliflowers & Celeriac due to the hard frosts - if the Great "CD" loses crops then there's still hope for the likes of me 😉

[@spritzpistol]

This man is such a kind and caring person, thank you Charles for sharing. Ps my better half brought me your recent book , I’m part way through and it’s brilliant. 🎉

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

How nice thanks 💚

[@walbiramurray5762]

I have had a bad summer in Central Australia, more rain than usual meant an explosion of every pest and I was so unprepared for them as I had never faced them in such numbers. But as you say, I learned a lot from it. I learn more from my failures than my successes. Thanks for another great video.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sorry to hear that, hope you all have enough to eat. I feel sure it's engineered weather, happening a lot to you :( and I hope autumn goes better

[@inguracka]

Those disasters are so refreshing to see in times where people only share successes, that puts enormous pressure on those on the other side that are not familiar with reality. 2023 is the first season for me and the other day I realized how instead of joy that is was supposed to be i felt nothing more than anxiety from overwhelming expectations starting from setting beds, getting compost, planning plans, reading books about the topic in time, growing healthy things, keeping them alive when you are away, and even eating them all before it goes to waste. Unrealistic, I know and I now started working on my expectations :)) Thank you for sharing these fails!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you for sharing that. I also start every spring with low expectations! And don't believe everything you hear / read, some failures is normal.

[@afriendtoo6971]

70 year old gardener here and still learning. Plus we learn from our mistakes.

[@veganpowergirl]

In started 2022 and had the same pressure! This year, I’m keeping expectations low and surprise myself with the results ❤ Still feeling some pressure though - my perfectionist brain just can’t help itself. But I have to say: it’s much better than at this time last year. Good luck for your gardening 😊👍

[@dwighthires3163]

Thank you so much for showing some discouraging beds. It really does give us hope when we are miles behind you on this no dig gardening. We need not give up because there are less than stellar attempts.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

`Yes keep going! 🌱

[@jamesrichey]

I had a rough Winter with my garden, too. In Texas we had a Hard freeze that wiped out my beets and onions in December. And then we had an ice storm that lasted several days which wiped out the rest of my plants that I had put out for re planting In Early February. I set up my seed trays this weekend so hopefully I'll have something for the Spring. Today it hit 80ﾟF So hopefully the worst weather is behind us.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sounds vv difficult! These fluctuations are hard for plants and I hope you are right! Looks like we have more cold on the way here, after all

[@rufusharbud3673]

Always a pleasure to learn and be entertained with your updates. We have had to start again from scratch with some parts of our grounds, as our last polytunnel took flight in high winds in early winter down here in Cornwall. So we have replaced, and made larger our polytunnel, with more emphasis with no dig on our outside space ( all through your simple no fuss advise) This year will be the start of being able to sow, grow and harvest a year through plan to keep the natural soil growing cycle to produce amazing Vegetables. Thanks again for your insightful updates.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wonderful, grow well!

[@Alonsel3]

The more I watch Charles the less I feel bad about the mistakes I seem to keep making. Thank you once again.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That is nice!

[@peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920]

Hi Charles, I finally got my first thousand subscribers so I can only imagine ever getting to 600 K👍 I hope you get to that goal soon🎉 We are expecting 80's to 90° this week and lots of 🌞 Happy Gardening, My Friend 💚🥦💚

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Peggy! Sounds good temp and congratulations 💚

[@rik80280]

For us, I think it's been the widely fluctuating temperatures. We went from 60 F to -2 F in the space of about 24 hours in December, and it was murder on the plants. It's been a pretty mild winter and I think the plants get soft in the warmer times and are less able to stand the cold then.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes, that is crazy fluctuation!

[@BullittKid08]

Yes, just this past Friday it was 60 degrees F at 6am. By 6pm it was a mere 30 degree F and 20knt gusts

[@bobbun9630]

Listening to Charles talk about his weather conditions is always entertaining. I enjoy the videos and there are some great ideas, but I often wonder how he would handle a more severe continental climate like the one I "enjoy" in the central U.S.

[@Ed19601]

My direct sown broadbeans have suffered as well. Combo of much rain, with frost in between. My onions are fine: planted Stuttgarter Giants as set in early november for use as springonions/early onions. Garlic looks great. Oddly though my supermarket bought hardnecks, generally look better than my seedstore bought softnecks. Still have stored pumpkins 500 onion sprouts waiting to go in in 2-3 weeks. All my 'new' (pre-winter) no dig beds look great, there is only one that has dandelions coming through, the rest virtually weed free

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You are on it Ed!

[@Ed19601]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig mainly thanks to you

[@patjoyce7247]

Thank you Charles, as always. Third time I’ve watched this one. So much useful information for a self taught novice like me, in my 3rd year as an allotmenteer. I’m enjoying reading your new book No Dig, so useful. Please don’t stop your free KZbin vids. I learn a lot from reading but nothing beats being shown visually how to do things and what they should look like. Always so comprehensive. Thank you Charles. Kind Regards Pat Joyce

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Lovely comment, Pat! Thanks for your appreciation, it helps to keep me motivated!

[@MeusPaisMeusAmores]

❤ Everything is always wonderful! My deepest Thank You, Charles and his Team Working Together. All your work that we can see, all your courses, all your videos, explanations, tables, calendars, books are marvellous! One of the greatest pleasures I've felt and still have the opportunity to feel in my life. Feel completely grateful to Charles and his Team for this unique experience.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you so much Miguel 💚

[@JanHooten]

Nice to see a bit of humility

[@damien884]

Got 3000 seed out to the greenhouse today and needed this after a hard but joyous day :) cheers! Hi from Sweden Charles

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wonderful job Damien

[@bernadette6211]

Thankyou so much for donating to our community garden in Kerry last year. The money went towards putting in a herb bed and laying woodchip on a pathway by a wild life pond.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Lovely to hear Bernadette!

[@karenf8470]

I always get so much from you, Charles, and what struck me among many other things this time was your never-ending curiosity. That and your enthusiasm are infectious and inspiring. I truly appreciate your knowledge and skills, along with experience and a willingness to keep experimenting and learning. We're right there with you. Here's to seeing the back of winter soon...there and here in the northeastern U.S..

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That is so nice Karen! Appreciate knowing this 💚 I hope you are not suffering the cold which is plaguing W US.

[@karenf8470]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Thanks, Charles. Others certainly have it worse and increasing daylight helps. As does seeing your garden spaces. Gives me hope...as gardening always does.

[@xSunshinex4206]

One of the best YT-channels, and you should have millions of subscribers imo 💚

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thankyou!

[@phirst55]

Thank you Charles for showing all the mishaps you've had this winter,, it's good to see I'm not the only one having issues with the weather,, I'm amazed with how you find the time to answer the couple of questions I asked last week with all the jobs you have to do each and every week, thanks again!

[@waynesell3681]

Truly year round gardening! After having mulched with leaves in the fall six beds are covered here in Michigan USA. New to no till, no dig. Hoping to remove the mulched leaves and be able to rake bed even and take off. Of course weeding .... opening up the beds will be exciting. Thank you for the direction to a new method.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sounds great Wayne

[@waynesell3681]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Thank you Charles!

[@nancyword5804]

Your actions speak volumes in the garden walk abouts!! These visits to the garden are the best!! Thank you!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Nancy 💚

[@mojavebohemian814]

Thank you so much from Arizona, USA.

[@andrewthompson3587]

Charles my theory on why we have had so much frost damage is that we had that unseasonal and brutally long cold spell in December and the plants hadn't a chance to build up a tolerance to colder nights. I'm only 6 miles from you but higher up and we literally went went from temperatures of around 18c to -10 or so over the course of a week.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Good point Andrew. We were 5-8C by day for the week before the first -6 frosts.There is more to it I feel

[@stevendowden2579]

really enjoyed that charles

[@carolinepaterson384]

Hi Charles, thank you for this no dig tour. Your honesty over the failures as well as the successes is very much appreciated, and you’re so right it’s all a learning process. On this beautiful sunny day, I followed your advice on saving space and compost to sow my first seeds. I did sow some tomotoes today which have gone on a heatmat indoors but will save the others to follow your advice. Also, just to say that both myself and my partner love your ‘No Dig’ book, its our ‘go to’ now. Thanks! Caroline

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

How nice thanks Caroline

[@OriginalRaveParty]

Thank you for the honesty of the tour. I need to cardboard and compost pretty quickly.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad it was helpful, go go!!

[@benjaminmanns7996]

Very nice indeed Charles! Even the failures are success. My dad always said nothing ventured nothing gained. I have celery and onion seeds started now. I love growing plants. You have converted me to no dig also :). I have 3 gardens and two of them are now no dig. You da man!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That is so nice, thanks

[@lilpipskweek6448]

Just chucking ideas about Charles. I took off the poly and covered the frame of my poly tunnel doors with green windbreak mesh so the doors can be used normally for access but are are closed otherwise but well ventilated. Saves heaving frames around. I could half cover the doors with poly but haven’t found that necessary. Keeps out critters and larger insects and butterflies I am sure you have good reason to use the method that you showed. I wish I had the space to have a poly tunnel as large as yours-bliss!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes I am lucky and thanks for sharing that

[@Dragons_Novel]

Thank you. I was in the garden today pruning and taking cuttings from my plum tree and grape vines. It's way too early to do much more than that here in Nova Scotia. We expect -17C Friday evening, but I feel it will be an early spring, which means early gardening. Cheers.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wonderful optimism!

[@simplifygardening]

Ive noticed the brassicas have suffered more than usual this year considering the temps Charles. The only thing I can put it down to is the drastic drops and raises in temps rather than it being gradual.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I feel we are all looking for the cause!

[@hobbiegardengirl9162]

Thank you so much for sharing your failures as well as successes. It encourages me.

[@tassiegirl1991]

Watching a few other allotments on you tube the devastation has been heartbreaking in the UK, i didn’t expect to see home acre to be the same. I am sure this has been as beneficial to others as videos on how to grow and prepare soil. Thank you for sharing the affect the unusual weather has had on even a very experienced grower.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sorry to hear that! It's about more than the weather unfortunately. Hope all is well in your world

[@SteveRichards]

What a difference between our two systems Charles, especially this year. I can’t afford failures and have a fraction of your space but that allows me to be more resilient at a bit higher up front cost. Almost all of my beds survived, I harvested every week through winter and they are mostly now replanted with spring crops. We were slightly colder than you too, so I lost my broad beans, but my Jan sown ones are a little ahead of yours now. I’ve taken 14 harvests off my Giant Winter spinach, but we are relay planting into it right now and we have our spring spinach plants just coming into harvest for salads, but large leaves in march. I don’t plant my cauliflower and calabrese out until Feb, so it’s not ready until May, but it looks lovely now and didn’t take any bed space over winter. My Lila is looking lovely, I’ve been harvesting it for about a month. Also my lambs lettuce is way further on than yours and we have harvested 1/2 of it now during January and early Feb, but I sow much earlier than you do. My claret is all fine too , but the early varieties took a hit. Thanks so much for showing us this unusual year, as you say, humbling for all of us and very instructive : all the best - Steve

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That is amazing Steve, many congratulations, anyone would be happy with those results 💚

[@SteveRichards]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig always plenty to improve though, I still loose more lettuces to stem rot than you do, it's an ongoing challenge. I think your home saved Grenoble Red lettuce seed is a lot stronger than commercial alternatives now

[@susancaudill9109]

Fabulous as always, and an encouragement to us all Charles. Colder longer than normal here, but Spring is still on the way. Blessings from Oregon .

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

🌱 thanks

[@cindycuellar5645]

Hi neighbor. (Mid-Willamette Valley) I just discovered Mr. Dowding and really enjoy his style.

[@ChuckFarlieSeesAll]

Another brilliant video. So many great ideas. Thanks for sharing.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@RebeccaInNorway]

Thank you Charles! finally at 41 years I have my lifelong dream of my own garden, and last summer was the first time in my life I have grown some of my own food. Almost all of it thanks to you and your videos! your Veg Journal book is a useful companion. I'm obviously not a master yet, so these kinds of videos are very encouraging.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great job Rebecca, I'm happy to imagine your successes

[@jeshurunfarm]

O I so enjoy walking with you through your garden. Always enthusiastic. Thank you Charles. Respect from Africa 🇿🇦

[@uk7866]

Charles Dowding the legend! Always look forward to watching your videos, especially the longer ones 😌

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks so much

[@saltytree729]

It’s because it’s been more humid Charles, tonnes of rainfall before the frosts causing expansion in the cells and extreme frost damage.

[@neilanscombe7348]

Thank you Charles for the update tour video, really reassures everyone when watching, that someone like your yourself also having failure's and not just seeing perfect veg. Love also what i would call the imperfect "PERFECT" compost. Have a great week!!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I appreciate that Neil

[@michelleadams2997]

Hey Charles, loving your CD 60s, thank you

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad you like them Michelle!

[@ScottishWhisper90]

I love the tours of the garden, especially at this time of year when you're getting ready to ramp up the planting etc. Last year I barely got anything from the garden due to lots of rain waterlogging my planting area, and my lack of planning for replacement plantings set me back totally. This year I want to get back into the swing, I have my garlic from last year to plant on (about my only successful harvest from last year 😂) and potatoes to go in the ground in a couple of weeks or so. Here's to a better year!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I echo that and wish you well

[@metubewot]

Love the video as always Charles. I lost all my broad beans too, but your admission of losing yours too, eased the pain.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks. Later sowing seems best!

[@Triv91]

This man is a great asset

[@Imjetta7]

Thank you so much. I learn something with every video.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice to hear

[@PartTimePermies]

We have had temps down to single digits Farenheit and our kholrabi was left in the snow. We've harvested half since then and have half still growing!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Amazing!

[@wjs5773]

Marvellous and insightful as always. I do feel that one of the problems with our climate is the fluctuations. Over the last year, in London , we’ve had drought , then water logging, then a very cold snap and unusual warmth for the winter too. No wonder some plants just curl up their toes.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

‼️ yes indeed

[@thatgirlthatgrows]

Loved this tour, little bit of everything 👍👍 thanks for showing us round!

[@067captain]

Don’t take this the wrong way Charles, but so pleased to see your swedes! Mine did exactly the same. It is reassuring to see the problems I have on the allotment are not unique to me! Really entertaining and informative - as always! Thanks, from up the road in Chepstow!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Good to know, and not good, that so many are suffering this!

[@veemcg3682]

Thanks for sharing this great tour Charles especially the things that didn't go to plan. I've been subscribed for years and work from your books and am still learning every time I watch and listen to you on one of your videos. ❤

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Awesome and nice to hear

[@josysteinbach4097]

great great tour of your wonderful garden again and makes us think of the planning of the year ahead merci beaucoup et à bientôt .

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Many thanks, chouette

[@turtle2212]

Strange enough, it is encouraging that you also have failures and not everything goes to plan. Because we 'simple homegardeners' know now that failure is not necessarily our fault and can even happen to Sir Charles. It helps us to not give up and carry on experimenting. This is nature! Each year another crop thrives or fails and yet there is always something to harvest.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@user-zf3ir5tn4o]

I get so excited when I see a new video! I learn something new each time and I just love your kindhearted approach to gardening and teaching others. Thank you for sharing your garden, even though not all plants were performing, it gives us all encouragement that gardening is never perfect. Just keep trying and learning from what nature gives us!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I'm so glad! 💚

[@mollvandiepenbrugge9817]

Your small garden is so encouraging

[@irenesmith5676]

Hi Charles loved the video I think everyone has had disasters this winter ❄️ it’s been a very very hard frost ! I’ve lost hardy plants I was so surprised 😮 had for years (gone) 😱 ! Never mind start again that’s what gardenings all about love it lv Irene 😘 xx

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sorry to hear this Irene!

[@victoriagolmehdi8506]

I am heartened that you have the odd failure or damage as well. I am in the 5th year of my allotment and hopefully this season I will avoid some of the mistakes I have made over that time and produce vegetables that I want to eat and to share. I love everything about your garden and am grateful that you share your knowledge so graciously. Here's to 2023 x

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Fingers crossed Victoria and thankyou 💚

[@davideaston1139]

It's not just a colder winter, it's been a wet and damp one and that's what fungus and molds love, i've lost a lot of plants this winter....

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Here David, that's actually not the case. The first half of December was bone dry and since mid January it's been dry, with only 16 mm rain in the that whole 7.5 week time. Compared to 190 mm between mid-December and mid-January.

[@davidletellier9995]

Hi there, most of my cauliflower, Aalsmeer and 'All the year round' Cauli sown late summer has also really suffered from the cold and I've lost most of them. The Leamington cauli, however, sown in June, is looking really good, not lost a single one. Not cropped yet but looking promising, was very good last year too.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

A nice tip, thanks David

[@LoriDB]

Thank You so much!!! I’m grateful for you and your channel.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You are so welcome

[@sarahtrew9331]

I live not too far from you Charles with an allotment in Street & had the exact same issues with my brassicas - I think it’s because it was warm and wet then freezing then warm and wet then freezing; rather than one or the other which is more typical. I think they can cope with a steady amount of weather of either freezing or wet/warmer but this winter has been all over the place in very short time spans! Hoping spring is a bit more steady so my seedlings don’t suffer too much🤞

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cheers Sarah - yes the fluctuations :(

[@sanjikaspinoni8396]

Yes Sarah I agree.Its the fluctuating temperatures. I'm nearby also, a little closer to Bridgwater.

[@susanbell2771]

Thanks, I needed to see that it's not just my garden that has struggled with the cold this year and a few weird issues cropping up, and looking generally sad. Yes fingers crossed for some better weather, thanks again

[@itsmewende]

I always enjoy your garden tours, some how the fails still feel like a success, a learned success. This yr I'm doing my veg garden in blocks, trapped off the entire area. Also doing an area with potatoes in straw, I've forgotten her name, the gardener I believe was in Vermont. I watch a girl in Italy who had a pretty nice harvest, she mentioned her too.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Good luck! Here that can result in slugs. Glad you see the successes!

[@pegmountney2708]

Thank you for sharing your challenges! So many of us struggle & scratch our heads trying to sort what went wrong in what should otherwise have been a good season. With your expertise & track record, it's encouraging to me for you to share that you have struggles & head scratches too. Cheers to Spring & a new season

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You are so welcome Peg, and thanks

[@lyndaturner6686]

Thanks Charles for showing the good and the bad, I nearly chopped my purple sprouting broccoli it had got quite tall and no sign of cropping but two weeks on the purple shoot are starting to form the florets, it’s your , let’s see what happens approach that I find so inspiring and it has worked on many things in the past

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😂 that is so good ‼️ Enjoy

[@NanasWorms]

I've had good success with the inground garden worm buckets in a very similar climate (zone 9b, southern Vancouver island). I kept thinking as you surveyed the frost damage on your rutabaga and spinach "oh, the worms would love that!" The buckets are sunk into the beds and all you have to do is lift the lid to throw in some organic matter. ~ Sandra

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great tip Nana thanks

[@mwmingram]

Great tour. Thank you.

[@nicholasnarcowich9163]

I will agree, it is fun to try things to see what may work :-) & find out if what we wanted to work,... didn't :-( but we tried. I feel the older I get, the more I like plants. Thank you so much for your time & videos.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Exactly! thanks

[@nickhammersonrocks]

WE’RE REALLY INTO CLASSIC NO DIG !!!!!!!! WAY MORE THAN POP-ROCK NO DIG OR JAZZ FUSION NO DIG !!!!!!!!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

🎶 yay!

[@stuckinthemudgarden7726]

Once again thank for the video. Last year I did a trial on breaking down wood chips. I took a 24 foot bed 4 foot wide. Put down cardboard on top of weeding ground. Put down a 2 inch layer of wood chips big wood chips. Then a layer of straw and some wine cap mushroom spawn. I then topped it with 2 feet of wood chips. By fall the wood chip were mostly gone and the bed was only 3 inches tall . The mushrooms were very delicious. This year I plan on trying to put some spawn on a larger pile. To see if I can break down an entire truck load Thanks

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sounds amazing. I imagine the chips were very fresh and therefor had no other fungal spores?

[@stuckinthemudgarden7726]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig No they were about a year old stropharia rugosoannulata is from my reading a more dominant species. My main goal was to see if they would compost wood chips quicker. I adopted this crazy gardening method. I learned is from this man in the uk . It’s the greatest thing ever. If you want to grow amazing vegetables u put compost on the ground plant in to it a next thing you know the best vegetables appear. So I need a lot of compost. I can get wood chips but compost is a bit difficult. I can only produce so much. So if wood chips can be composted in a season or two with a edible mushroom it’s a double win for me thanks again I love no dig

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Amazing to hear this!

[@reggie5]

Wild rocket looks lovely 👍🏼

[@rubygray7749]

My weekly treat! Never long enough. I'm presently feasting on the last of my Tasmanian broad beans which regrew and gave another small harvest after I cut them off, and several varieties of no dig potatoes rummaged yesterday. I've lifted 3 x 20 litre buckets so far, only about 25 percent of my crop. The frequent frosts and predation of bad goats reduced uniformity and size somewhat, but plenty have thrived to feed me through the rest of the year. I preserved many jars of broad beans in my pressure canner, and if anyone is interested, this process turns them from green to kidney bean red!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

All sounds impressive Ruby, nice you are coping so well with the weather

[@RalfyCustoms]

Hi Charles, here's to a wonderful spring time, I've thoroughly enjoyed a year of learning with you, best wishes from the Midlands

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks so much 🌱

[@homegardens7682]

I agree with the comment about the weather Charles. Here in Essex we got down to about minus six. It did seem to be a "different" and far more damaging cold this year than the temperature suggested. Interesting.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

More than ‼️ Needs this www.daniellebryant.co.uk/2019/12/30/710/

[@jamesf3283]

Quite relieved in a way to see the problems you've had with some of your crops over the winter. I've lost about half of my PSB, I assume because of the cold nights. The stalks went brown and rotted. Many of my cabbages have struggled. A huge proportion of my broad beans and a fair number of field beans (planted as ground cover as much as anything) also failed to make it despite being under fleece. Even the fleece froze solid. Two years ago I had fantastic garlic outdoors. Last year all of it suffered badly from rust and even removing the affected leaves didn't stop it spreading very fast. For this year I've planted all of it in the polytunnel and greenhouse to try to keep it under control. I was aware that tomatoes could be propagated from shoots and tried it for the first time two years ago without success, but following your short covering it I decided to have another go, growing eight new plants from each of the five varieties I grew last year -- not all F1, but as much for the practice and learning as having the plants available this year. They've done quite well indoors in a cool bay window though they are now quite leggy. Once you've over-wintered the plants do you use them directly for that year's crop, or do you take off shoots once again and grow those on into your cropping plants?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Winter brassicas have been tragic! Yes you can either use original plants if not too tall, or take more shoots now to root again. A versatile method!

[@stevenbp101]

Morning Charles, It’s always a pleasure to get to look around your place. Love how big your compost sheds are. I’ve got my tomatoes started now and that’s about it. We still have Garlic, a few onions and some carrots still out in the garden. Not anything like yours. Thanks for sharing. 🇺🇸

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Hi Steven, hope you can start a few more soon & AK weather is ok!

[@FadingPolaroids]

I had the same thing happen to my broad beans here in Belgium, autumn sown ones got killed of by the frost, but I've got a now batch on the go and excited to try a spring sowing!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Go them 🌱!

[@davelively1901]

We chip wood on the farm with pto driven machine. It will take up to 8" material, but my point to make is that the coarseness of the chip is less about the size of the chipper unit, but more on how fast the material is run through the chipper and how sharp the blades are. The commercial tree people need to make the most of time, so they are likely to run the chipper @ a faster rate, which makes for larger coarser pieces.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you for commenting Dave, and that's really helpful to know. It would never have occurred to me!

[@fletchybabe6172]

Food for thought, thank you Mr Dowding 😁🌱☀️

[@gabbym7560]

I like the logic of growing mustard with the garlic in hope of dealing with the garlic rust, my garlic last year was really bad with rust just as it reached maturity, will be interesting to see how it works.

[@fourdayhomestead2839]

Great tour. As always, your channel is a spark of hope for gardening where ever we live. Blessings from USA (Wisconsin).

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚💚

[@SmallholdingUK]

It got down to about -12 on my Smallholding, I’ve lost almost everything I had including kale Brussels and most my spinage, I always thought Brussels were bulletproof Only thing that came through untouched was the garlic, here’s looking forward to a good growing year this year, happy growing everyone

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes indeed and thanks

[@michaelfoort2592]

Here in BC, we had the same overwintering experience. For some reason, crops that are normally tough didn't do too well. I suspect lower than normal sugar levels.

[@petewetherall5336]

Hello Charles, I am so excited,I am broke and will be for the next few years and desperately want to get back to growing veg. I cant afford a tunnel and wood for raised beds and all the other things that I thought that I needed. Thank you for all the informative videos, that have shown me that I can do it for free with a little help from my friends. So I am going to go out and "not dig my garden". Wish me luck. I did find a few euro to buy a few of your CD60 trays, they arrive today.... you are an inspiration to us all, thank you so much, Pete.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Hi Pete, what a great story, except of course that you are broke! I love that you have an optimism in this, and thanks for being grateful.

[@jeffcokenour3459]

Thank you!

[@JulesGardening]

Thank you Charles.

[@JulesGardening]

Yes sir, plans can't change unless you have one. :)

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😂 cheers Jamie :)

[@chpr6813]

I had a couple of swede do that each year - they rot which smells awful! I've also had mice chew tunnels through them or hollow them out completely!

[@amandar7719]

Harvested a huge swede last week and noticed a few baby slugs had very recently created a hidey-hole. When I was preparing, the few small areas around the slugs’ homes were definitely beginning to deteriorate. I cut them out and had plenty to utilise. However I reckon the whole root might not have held up in a week or two’s time. Not checked the other swedes yet as the remaining aren’t very big and probably won’t be harvested for food anyway. Perhaps slugs hatch during milder winter days….. My unharvested beetroots disintegrated weeks ago. 😂Combination of too lazy to harvest, the frost, and most definitely chomping critters I conceded defeat to years ago 😩 !We have lots of odd looking little amber or black coloured mice/voles. Some with short stubby tails, some long tails. Field mice? We’ve even spotted a multicoloured! Too tiny for rats. Not moles either cos we have them too. Creating sink holes under transplants! 🤦🏼‍♀️ Can’t ID them.

[@Beano2100]

Hi Charles, just a data point...I grew claret for over winter and I had 7 in the ground and lost 2 for the first time this year. I live in Cardiff. I lost all my spring onions and all my broad beans. Resowing the latter now and happy to still have 5 Claret left.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks for sharing, 5/7 is good!

[@sonnyamoran7383]

We've all had our disappointments. But they are soon forgotten with the heavy harvests. I'm doing a lot of winter squash this year. Want to try a few to decide the favorite for next year. My seed sowing is improving thanks to you. Got lots of peppers, tomatoes, and many herbs started. Some out already. Thanks for your encouragement. I'm getting ready to fill lots of empty space. Got compost down already.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Encouraging!!

[@SugarCreekOffGrid]

I had my spring seedlings going and looking beautiful a hard freeze wiped most of them out. I replanted. It's always disheartening when that happens. I appreciate this video. Your videos are always timely Inspiration ❤

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sorry to hear that, good you replant, thanks

[@whatsworthonearth8700]

It's a good time to do some fencing, too. I put the first posts in the ground. Dear deer, no munching on cale here! Although they are playing and they eat all they want outside the fence.

[@kittyskid1]

I just joined yesterday and all I have to say is: Where have you been all my life? I love gardeninng and never heard of no dig. I'm looking forward to applying your techniques in my new home garden.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Welcome and thanks, you will enjoy these methods!

[@GardenerGray]

Love this. I've been gardening for 20 years and something new fails every year. So many variables but it's all part of the fun. 😀

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cup half full!!! x

[@GardenerGray]

I like to say always overflowing 😁

[@alanchamberlain4173]

Thank you Charles. Echo the last two comments. Two things: at the end there's a slip of the tongue which might need a caption over - 10 March not May for tomatoes! Secondly the disproportionate damage by frost has been the same here in Norfolk. Broad beans Aquadulce Claudia: 1 survivor. Spinach Medania: wiped out. Tatsoi outside looking very rough, inside something's eating it (of course). Best survivor outside: kale, 100% OK. Broccoli 50% like yours. But lifting the last parsnips last week, they were great (though the spade was needed). My real disaster though: using some compost from an open sack to sow seeds ten days ago to save money. Totally false economy. About to resow everything...

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks so much Alan. Gulp, May!! Open sack should be fine, I do that

[@irishcottagerenovation9900]

Great tour. Glad to see the problems here in wet west of Ireland are similar. Minus 7 here at times but biggest problem here during winter is condensation at my works poly tunnel as I have to lock it up, my home one is fine because I can open doors although mould did effect lettuce and some of the kale inside. Had wonderful harvest from kale,purple sprouting,carrots,leeks,celery and spinach(winter giant) in poly over winter. You’ve always been my inspiration. Thank you.

[@alanchamberlain4173]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Yes... maybe you dont have three cats, when there's -6 frosty ground, so nowhere to... Yes, I'm afraid one of them probably did. I was totally stupid and lazy, smelt a bit of an ammonia smell and just carried on. Still, it's good to support nice seed companies... and, as you always say, in spring you can catch up, from July onwards you can't.

[@jennyjohnson9012]

Gosh Charles this has given me so much hope. I lost all my autumn planted Broad Beans to the -17 deg we had up here one night in Scotland. Also my Spring cabbages and a lot of Kale froze, melted then turned to slush . Never known anything like it. I really hope this is the end of Winter now. Thankyou so much for showing us around Homeacres. Cant wait to see it all sprout into action again!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sorry to hear that, new spring new hope. 💚

[@Haze1434]

Thank you Charles and Homeaches. Your videos are invaluable, brilliant and very appreciated.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you kindly 💚💚