Different composts explained, when to spread, and how much

[@ShamanBuddha]

Best teacher on YT honest and care for more than just the land but life as how it should be, Respect.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks so much!

[@joshstream7403]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig you are an amazing person, if human kind would be 1% of your values the world would be a better place. Very inspiring, thank you Charles for sharing all your knowledge with us and being a simple human being, humble. All respect

[@davidgamache3035]

You're living the life that most of us only dream of.

[@tassiegirl1991]

Oh how I agree your young enough to start that dream David go for it

[@tesgtesg]

Charles, I am reading "No dig gardening" and preparing to start my very first vegetable garden in our backyard, with no gardening experience. I am learning so much from you and feel very fortunate that I am learning from the best. I can't imagine a more exciting Friday night than watching a video on compost!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sounds great Ena, thanks and I wish you success

[@tesgtesg]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig thank you Charles! Warm greetings from Canada. ☃️

[@Horse237]

Soil biology and worms are they key to success. If you feed coffee grounds to worms, they will make nitrogen in a usable form. Commercial nitrogen leaches out of your soil. If you wash and clean eggshells and then sterilize them in an oven, you can pulverize them and feed them to worms. They will make an enzyme called chitinase that will devour the exoskeletons of aphids. And the eggshells will feed your plants calcium which increases the shelf life of your vegetables and fruits. Supplements like volcanic rock dust are best fed to worms before feeding to your plants.

[@TheFunctionalForce]

Pahahaha welcome to the club! :)

[@daudafzal]

Makes me want to go and aerate and sieve my compost. Imagine the number of people you’ve inspired and will continue to do so for years to come by sharing your wealth of knowledge. So grateful Charles.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

So nice of you to say, I am too busy writing and gardening and on video!

[@nathansquires5551]

I love talking about your videos with friends and watching their eyes widen and they really start to think.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cool to hear Nathan, thinking is very necessary now :)

[@andymoore9977]

'Eye widen' that summed up my reaction to this video. I could barely sit still with excitement as i watched it.

[@owg-v]

Thank you! Always next level 💥

[@tobruz]

Makes me yearn for warmer weather here in Canada!

[@rnupnorthbrrrsm6123]

I hear ya !!! -23 F today here in northern Minnesota going to be -30 F or more this weekend 🥶 come on spring !!!😍

[@thetessellater9163]

Canada's tar sands are the most polluting fuel in the world - warmer weather coming your way very soon, and some grumpy polar bears too !

[@tobruz]

@@thetessellater9163 this is the wrong place to voice your fanatics

[@HomesteadAtLast]

Me too. All the gardening videos I watch make me want winter to pass already

[@randimillington1422]

@@thetessellater9163 I come to this channel to get away from garbage like this……and the comment was unnecessary. Furthermore do more homework, you are Ill-informed context.capp.ca/energy-matters/2019/mythbuster_dirty-oil/

[@herenow2895]

What a lovely, chilled out person you are Charles. I couldnt imagine you getting angry. Your approach to gardening is inspirational and a good motivator to others. Thank you for taking the time and trouble to share the fruits of your labours.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Many thanks. I can get angry.... rarely in the garden!

[@dustman96]

I get angry when the birds peck little holes in all my tomatoes

[@keithlowndes]

I get angry when cats use my beds as a toilet

[@waynesell3681]

Gardening can be like anger management!

[@bradley723]

11 sad people out there :( Charles my fiance and I purchased a 10 acre plot of land here in zone 8b in Washington, and you have helped me get a start before even moving onto the property. Thanks to you I have a sowing plan, I know how to sow, I know how to make compost, I have planned out most of the garden, with a lot of help from your sowing calendar. Thanks so much for all of the content you've put out. I also signed up for both of your online classes, though I have yet to finish them. b

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Oh wow! Nice to be ahead, great you are doing the online courses and thanks Bradley

[@Ph03niX777]

Greetings from your 8b neighbor in Portland, Oregon! Also growing my garden with these videos and the Vegetable Garden Diary. I love that the UK weather matches up quite nicely with the rainy PNW :)

[@abbyiyer2011]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig what is the online course? And how do I join. I have done my garden this year after seeing this. I live in Calgary Zone 4b Canada.

[@Pwecko]

I'm jealous of all the young gardeners who are getting this information now. I used to do double digging and all the other worse than useless work that was recommended forty years ago. If only I'd known then what I know now, from you and other online gardeners. I would have enjoyed gardening so much more, and I would have had a much better diet. Anyway, better late than never. Your videos are exceptionally well made and the sound quality in particular is excellent. Thank you for being so generous with your time and knowledge, and for making it all so enjoyable to watch.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Many thanks :)

[@sweetpeasbackyardgarden1236]

"Compost is not soil." That's exactly what I needed to hear. I'm sketching my fall prep now. I'm confident now and ready for no dig! Thank you.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad it was helpful!

[@johnmenzies9548]

Charles your compost station is a magnificent structure

[@alisonburgess345]

It sure is - I copied it and got a smaller version built and I reckon it's the key to getting quicker, really high quality compost. The roof means it's not flooded or over heated. If you can make one, I'd highly recommend it - or get a carpenter to do it like I did - fantastic...

[@giuseppemolinario9611]

I’ve been drooling over this structure for a year...got the materials to build a lighter one but actually I think I’ll wait a bit and make a beefy one just like that. It’s heavenly!!!!!

[@giuseppemolinario9611]

Actually, I wonder Charles thoughts on the build. The height is good? Is the roof slant south or north? I want to make it face south to potentially hold some Pv panels eventually, but that means the low side would be the entrance / work side of the compost bins, so I’m not sure that would work great....would be super cool to have some more details/ dimensions etc!

[@alisonburgess345]

@@giuseppemolinario9611 I seem to recall he said each bay is 1500mm by 1500mm by about 1000mm tall. Mine are 1200 x 1200 x 1200 and i've got 3 bays. It's got a galvanised roof. It really makes all the difference - by keeping the rain out, you control the moisture levels. I have not watered my heaps at all - there's plenty of water content in the plant material and carbons I add to it. Charles Dowding did a great video on compost making and it features his compost station. If I was him, I'd get a draftsman to draw up plans of a few different sizes which he could sell ! Ok, it cost money, but it's a great investment for any semi-serious gardener.

[@twotone3070]

It has a larger footprint than my house.

[@mattpollard5611]

My wife bought me your book for my birthday, in December, after watching your videos. We are now fully adopting no dig on our allotment plot and can wait to see how the produce changes

[@tomburns3113]

hi,matt.went no dig on my allotment 2 years ago.you really will not believe the change.think of getting another freezer.wish you well with it.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Happy birthday!

[@rnupnorthbrrrsm6123]

You will love it !! Last year I “planted” potatoes in a part of my yard that wasn’t a garden, just grass. I put down a layer of “compost ?” I got from the local landfill, laid my potatoes on it and put a shovel of dirt on it and covered with straw, watered well and boy o boy, best crop ever !!! And no digging to harvest 😍 it’s was kind of a mix of Charles Downing and Ruth Stout gardening !

[@Da_cat12]

I bought the book too. I've learned so much from the YT videos, I wanted to spend some cash on Charles' info.

[@ericsafran6108]

Glad to see you have put timestamps on the video! Your channel just seems to get better and better!

[@DrNickBailey]

I sometimes feel I'm a composter first and a gardener second. Lovely video, a pleasure to watch.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wonderful!

[@johnmudd6453]

Me too love making compost

[@Time2ski27]

By watching your videos, doing your course work, and reading the book Wilding, i am getting your concepts. We have been brainwashed in the gardening world. Thanks again for being an Educator to me and thousands of others.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wonderful! I love this Tess and isn't it interesting when you make sense of it

[@ohio_gardener]

I have too much compost, said no gardener ever! :-)

[@crpth1]

No gardener complain of having to much compost! No IT guy complain of having to much RAM memory! No boat builder complain of having to many clamps! Geez, I fit in them all! LOL 😂

[@johndyer9232]

LOL!

[@paulp4452]

@@crpth1 I'm with you on the clamps issue! Always seem to need (or want) more!

[@christophermoorman6249]

I've a continuous composting system an yes you can never have to much

[@dereka8041]

No doubt, fall is the best time to add your compost/organic materials. He is correct. I cover my vegetable garden with fall leaves, and maybe some grass clippings, every November. Throughout the year, I add my organic kitchen waste. That's all I do. The garden does the rest of the work, automatically. That's all I do.

[@cynthiafisher9907]

This is what Sara Backmo does, it sounds easier and then you profit from the worm castings as the worms compost the plant material for you, right where the plants will use it. It makes sense.

[@firecloud77]

Same here, but last November I spread alfalfa pellets on the soil before the leaves, etc. I've never seen so many baby worms. Worms apparently love alfalfa pellets.

[@dereka8041]

@@firecloud77 Good for you! More earthworms means healthier soil.

[@lukaslambs5780]

21 year old gardener from New York here! Just wanted to say I love your whole set up and hope one day to have similar sort of gardening setup! Your videos are so awesome! I can’t wait to see all your new springtime content!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Awesome! Thank you Lukas and go far, with your youthful energy and what you learn here.

[@yu6o]

Gracias por los subtitulos en Español. Es un honor nutrirse de su sabiduría señor Charles Dowding

[@pixiesnow7636]

"Homeacres" is what all gardening should be like. Relaxed, not as in lazy but in sensible, educated and realistic. No videos about "tricks and schemes" and how to get 100kg of potatoes from one plant while growing it in a teacup on your windowsill.

[@ElderandOakFarm]

Yes!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

How I laughed! I must go and prepare that teacup 😀

[@berti642]

😂👍

[@andymoore9977]

Well I got 110 kg from the teacup and it was a Wedgewood original... Lovely observation Pixie, it made me chuckle so much. Thank you.

[@angelad.8944]

Maybe if it was a sweet potato you are propagating slips from! HaHa, I too laughed so hard! XD

[@Mattguyverr]

I really enjoy how genuine you are. You aren't pushing products too heavily. You are inspiring and helping people as well as making a living. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You are so welcome Matthew!

[@chriseverest4380]

This man is soooo knowledgeable (& honest) it shines through in every word. Needs a slot on Gardeners World!

[@stevenbp101]

Hey Charles you got the most wonderful garden, when I grow up I want my garden to be just like yours only in Arkansas. Thanks teacher and God bless. (Old guy from Arkansas)🇺🇸

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😀

[@robinhazeslip1800]

Switched all my gardens to no dig and LOVE how much the weeds are reduced or gone!😁💖🌿🌞

[@lorraineowen7978]

It's always baffled me when people say that compost looses nutrients and I've often questioned it 🤔 You have answered a long debate for me 🙏 thank you so much 😄

[@CD-kg9by]

Some of the nutrients do get washed out, especially if you put manure into your compost, which has lots of readily available nutrients. But the rest is bound in organic structures. Farmers use mostly manure only or non-organic fertilizers. Those all wash out and cause quite a lot of issues.

[@dustman96]

The idea is that the life in the soil is constantly working and breaking down the organic matter and releasing nutrients over time.

[@SuperKingslaw]

A really great overview of Composting and types of composts and what to watch out for. Thank you for sharing this one with us! I have been using collected grass clippings from my yard and from the yards of neighbors that do not use "Lawn Services" that treat their lawns with chemicals. Fall Leaf collection is also a huge bonus. Together they work a treat! Thanks again!

[@saraho8540]

I used your no dig method for my garden last year. My mom told me after my garden did amazing she secretly thought I was crazy and that I didn't have enough soil. She was amazed at how well it did and is now going to do a no dig garden too. I just put in my no dig fruit trees and strawberries. Hoping they can handle are Oklahoma wind. So far so good! Thanks for your teaching!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great job Sarah! Lovely to hear this.

[@billclinton6040]

I had a very large, tall dead pine fall over into my yard. Instead of cutting it up and hauling it off, I used it to build my first two hugelculture mounds. I built it up further with branches from my oak and finished it off with lots of fall leaves and some homemade compost. Wish me luck! :)

[@Fragrantbeard]

I'm enjoying my hugel! I have one that's a year old and full of vine maple, apple and plum wood and tons of compost. You might be amazed how much it settles over time. My tomatoes and squash loved it.

[@Sue-ec6un]

Thank you Charles 💕 You’re voice is so lovely that I almost forgot you were holding horse poo in your hands! Lol You bring spring with you everywhere you go 😊

[@tracywilliamsliterature]

Charles I am Thrilled... First Big Potato from no dig per your direction... I found it yesterday! My first baking potato! I LOVE this channel!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

How wonderful!

[@ancestralwisdom448]

Great advice, as always. I think one of the biggest mysteries you solved for me related to compost was this: I couldn't figure out why some of the beds I spread my compost on were full of weeds, and some were weed free. Then, watching one of your videos, you mentioned that you used a specific shovel for your compost so you wouldn't dig into the ground beneath the compost pile, since the ground itself was filled with weed seeds, even if the compost was not. It was then that I realized my weedy beds were the last beds I created, with compost scrapped from the bottom of the pile!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice to hear you sold that and it's empowering to work things out in that way and understand more how everything fits together

[@cory7260]

WELL YOUR COMMENT WAS A YEAR AGO AND ME HAVING THE SIMILAR WEEDS IN GARDEN AREA I WILL BE TRYING SAME AS YOU (SPREADING MY COMPOST AND NOT DIGGING INTO THE GARDEN SOIL WHEN DOING SO)ALL IN HOPE THAT MY WEED SITUATION WILL BE FIX.

[@cory7260]

Cory previous statement was directed at Ancestral Wisdom.Pardon of anyone's misunderstanding.

[@stevieb6173]

the best teacher in the world is experience , and not somebody else's, sometimes the more you listen the less you really learn, absolutely no disrespect this guy is great , but on youtube how many cooks , and then they seem to contradict one another, don't be afraid to just do . god bless 👍✌

[@kowalstwodagniau3553]

Polska pozdrawia. Jaka wspaniała niespodzianka że napisy są po Polsku.Bardzo dziękuję jestem wzruszona bo rozumiem dokładnie o czym Pan mówi.Kompost jest dla mnie ważny ale mam dopiero założony w 2020roku czyli jeszcze młody inie przekompostowany.Jak tylko mrozy ustaną będę rozrzucać na grządki.Duzo zdrowia życzę 🥰❤️❤️

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

piękny i życzę powodzenia

[@marygercke6255]

Two of my gardening friends and I got together tonight specifically to watch your videos, we are all fans. Love your simple methods and your delightful way of sharing this love for gardening that you have.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks so much, Mary, I'm happy to entertain as well as inform

[@anujanakiraman6210]

Charles, you are my inspiration. I absolute love everything about compost and truly enjoy making my own compost each year, albeit on a much smaller scale. I was just thinking today....is it just me that gets so excited about collecting my leaves, kitchens scraps, coffee grounds and plant materials for my compost pile?😃

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wonderful Anu. From the comments I read here, you are absolutely not the only one!! And it's a wonderful, health giving thing to be enthused about.

[@dustman96]

Make sure to buy a good magnifying glass. The quantity and variety of creatures in a diverse and mature compost pile is amazing.

[@annad1877]

I could listen to You all day...Your love of gardening is awe inspiring. Thank You Charles :)

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad you enjoy it Anna!

[@Big-ef5ru]

Charles the GOAT of compost

[@goatgate3815]

Sir Charles my recommendation is that you be Knighted by your Queen. Your teaching has set this old man at 76 on an adventure for his senior years ahead. Here on Goatgate's 10 acres since being taught by you for near two years I've organized a significant collecting of my livestock's compost, purchasing additional materials and supplements. Many tons now in various stages await application. Started this spring with five, 60 foot no dig beds made according to your design instructions. The ease of gardening in this manner is profound by comparison to traditional tilling methods. All your ways and words have been exceedingly inspirational. Thank you Sir from the Ozarks in Southwest Missouri.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I am so happy to read this and can only congratulate you as well for taking on so much at the age of 74. I am 62 now so feel well encouraged! 💚

[@jeshurunfarm]

Really like your composting area. Respect from a mid summer Africa 🇿🇦

[@lmrandlette]

We are fortunate here to have many red alder and big leaf maples on the property. In winter as weather permits I gather the extra leaves out of fern and shrubs and compost them. We find there is enough material when added to green waste for our garden beds. Happy with the sustainability of this no dig practice!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Excellent!

[@rubykeiss1540]

That was an aha moment! It's hot in Qld, Australia now and my soil isn't retaining moisture. Always love your teachings.👏👏👏

[@kellymorgan4783]

I'm also in blistering hot and wet Queensland. Watching Charles' videos makes me long for a cooler climate, but I do so love how easy and quick it is to create compost here 🙂 that's a good thing - we sure do need it here 💓

[@bradcarby3765]

@@kellymorgan4783 I'm also in QLD and while it is hot and humid I think I would prefer a cooler place. Then I talk to my friend in Yorkshire who has -6 and snow and I think "f that, I'm going to the beach to cool off".

[@kellymorgan4783]

@@bradcarby3765 hahaha! Not me. I have a down jacket and snow pants and I'm not afraid to wear them 🤣 but a Queensland winter - ooooh no one knows what they're missing out on.

[@crpth1]

@@kellymorgan4783 - As a guy who was born in the South hemisphere a couple hundred km's from a desert. But throughout life has been moving further and further North. Sometimes really close, like on the Arctic circle... No kidding I can appreciate how good it can be a fair bit of weather! Now let me go dump some more firewood in the wood stove. The -18C today are not helping. LOL 😂

[@stephanier1336]

Oh Charles, your such a wonderful teacher! I love your videos so much. I wish I could meet you! Love from Alberta CA!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Maybe one day, we have to hope 😀 and thankyou

[@gavinwolfe3713]

You may have a video already showing this but I would love to see how you actually add material to your bins. In the past we have used pallets to create roughly pallet x pallet sized bins (maybe too small?) and I chop everything down to 6inches or less but still the piles seem to sit there not altering much. They look like the pile you were showing there after maybe 12 months! I also turn into an empty bin during the process.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Am sure you can sort this Gavin! See video of July 2020 Compost Adding Greens & Browns

[@alisonburgess345]

i've just checked and i've got a bit under a cubic metre of really quality compost made in my "tramstop" compost house (copied from your design). I was blown away - I'd say the shelter of the roof and the sides have made a big difference and sped up the decomposition. Here it's late summer so I'll wait a month or two before spreading it - but I'd highly recommend some kind of structure with a roof if you can do it, rather than just throwing things in a heap - it's the roof, people! Great video, as usual.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

How wonderful to read this and I love the name tramstop! Your soil will be happy for all that 😄

[@tedbastwock3810]

That ... was AMAZING, thank you so much, Charles! BTW I've *never* seen the table of contents in the progress bar of a video before, really neat and useful!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad you liked it Ted, and we somehow found time for that!

[@craigmetcalfe1749]

Hey Charles, I am watching this video again as I am creating a new 6m bed using your No Dig approach. Something you may not have realized is that the opening shots with your Red Shirt and the verdant green of Home Acres reminds me of one of my favorite British painters, John Constable (The juxtaposition of green and red is one of his signatures). The looming gray clouds promising a gift of rain is particularly prominent in some of his works and more than welcome to us as growers. I hope I don't come off as arty farty but I really do think that growers bring all their experience to bear in the garden and we are richer for the experience. Thank you!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice bit of history, thanks Craig and I love his paintings

[@thepouletbrothers4711]

I'm getting an allotment on the next allocation thanks Charles you inspired me and I'm going no dig 👌😉

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Best of luck Matt!

[@ElderandOakFarm]

He inspired me too too, but I was always too scared. I did, though, after my tiller broke 😂 & it was the BEST decision I ever made!

[@jossi2905]

Ive learned so much with you, dear Charles! Thank you so much for your teachings. God bless you and give you strength, also to your gardens💗

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

@@ElderandOakFarm good ol' tiller!

[@ElderandOakFarm]

Love your channel name!

[@leslietehaara500]

Down to earth tuition from a maestro of his craft, priceless Charles.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thankyou Leslie

[@jasehargreaves]

I love stuff about compost, I got a little book on it once as a present

[@annagulczynska]

You explain beautifully about the natural garden and compost.

[@alanhoughton3252]

Thanks Charles another excellent video, on decomposition.

[@moo1388]

Here in Raleigh North Carolina when we use straw or hay as a ground cover/mulch the seeds sprout!! so I don't recommend using it as such, but in compost where it heats up and kills the seeds straw is a wonderful addition.

[@livinggrowing]

Hello, what advice do you have for container gardening. Also, I would love to see a video on starting flowers from seed . I love watching all your videos!😊👍

[@tassiegirl1991]

I’m using his information and applying it to my containers just adapt the qty

[@inthegarden881]

I grow plants in containers filled completely with compost. Just add more compost at the end of season, cut the plant off at the base (leaving the roots to decompose over the Winter), and replant seedlings in the Spring. Look into “winter sowing” your flower seeds. Tried that this January and the results were very satisfying. The seedlings are naturally hardened off and I feel good about up-cycling plastic waste (pop bottles and juice jugs I pick up while cleaning up my neighbourhood) that normally would have ended up in landfills. I have just finished taking my seedlings out of their bottles and putting them into their containers. I also mulch with a mixture of woodchips and grass clippings. I’m in zone 5.

[@Gtmustangmt]

I hope one day I become as wise as you Charles in the realm of gardening!!!

[@fannygalaz5941]

Hi Mr. DOWDING . My Heroe of the garden. 🤭🤭

[@stewartwilson1]

ive been watching your videos for just over a year & your a total inspiration to new growers like me , last year i started no dig on a weedy allotment after watching your videos & for a 1st season i was impressed , this season is going to be the same but i kept all green waste from my garden , the allotment & the caravan park last season , So have around a 4ft x 4ft x 4ft compost pile , I also have 5cubic meter of compost being delivered this month to top off current beds & make a few new ones, Polly tunnel is deep cleaned ready for spring , just got a few blackberry supports to make this weekend , looking forward to another grow season with you :)

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great work Stewart!

[@CEOAMARU]

Always a joy to watch. The king of no dig....

[@cgohier2000]

I like to think that today's garden is next year's compost. It is my third year gardening here in the Rep of Georgia, and I am now seeing the results of improving the poor soil inherited in 2019.., things are starting to grow and even thrive. So it appears I have enough soil, and weeds.., all it needs is a little decomposing love, and time. Nature is thankfully ok with reviving it with me..

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

How lovely to read this. You are thriving too!

[@GrowWithKit]

Another amazing video full of great information. Thank you Charles. 🌱🌱😊🌱🌱

[@deegee8010]

Thank you for the explanation regarding depth of compost. Earlier this year I started a 3 bin system of compost of well rotted horse manure to which I’ve been adding allotment and kitchen waste. The plan being to use it on the beds however, I was beginning to think that I wouldn’t have enough but seeing this video makes me realise I do have enough.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks and well done!

[@camicri4263]

No dig is the way to go! Have a great weekend Charles!

[@ОльгаСмайл-е6ю]

👍 отличное пособие для начинающих земледельцев, садоводов и огородников! Как всегда видео исключительно информативно👍! From Russia with love 👋👋👋

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Приятно видеть здесь русских! Спасибо👍

[@lynnrushton7458]

You’re such a great teacher Charles! SO looking forward to spring......we are under 5 inches of snow here in Aberdeenshire, and it has demolished my walk in brassica tunnel 😩☃️ Lovely to see anything green at the moment, instead of white! Another great informative video 👌

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Lynn, and yikes!! ❄️

[@tanyaroyredcar]

Charles, while I don't question for one moment that the best time of year to spread compost is Nov/Dec, I'm not convinced that the existing soil life feeds off the new compost to any great degree during winter. I'm of the thought now that the fresh compost acts as insulation - protecting the microbes from the frosts/snow that will arrive during winter, thus keeping them safe and active. As the soil warms in March -> the microbes begin to move through the newer compost layer and that point we can compact the newer compost layer before seeding/transplanting. Brilliant video as always. R&T

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Some and some I think, good to consider how it all works!

[@luisbarros8570]

Charles, que alegria ver os seus vídeos em português 🙏❤🌼🌱 não entendo a língua inglesa e para mim está agregando muito os seus vídeos!! Ainda mais agora que entendo melhor o que está querendo nos passar com seu super conhecimento!! Muito obrigado por nos ajudar com seus conhecimentos e nos passar a alegria de uma colheita orgânica 🙏❤🌼🌱 Parabéns e vida longa ao canal 🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

O prazer Luis

[@squange20]

I agree with all the positive comments Charles. Your gardens and plots look immaculate. Your advice and tips are spot on, they make sense. We have raised gardens this year, as I watched other videos before watching yours, so it was too late for the “no dig” method. But, we shall try next year. Thanks again for the very helpful videos. You’re an inspiration to all gardeners.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Many thanks!

[@sweetpea6384]

I’m finding with the year long gardening weather here in Hawaii the soil organisms consume the compost faster. In 6 months you can hardly tell it had been spread! I spread it twice a year. 😄

[@thelatebloominggardener2479]

That’s good to know! I live in Hawaii too!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks for sharing, faster everything!

[@quake8292]

I'm learning a lot. Feels like going back to university and learning from one of the best instructors in school. You inspired me to start a no dig garden soon, in my area where most of the ground is dry and the soil is mostly acidic.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you, and that sounds a fair challenge! Although your soil may be acidic, it's probably still fine for growing, it's all relative

[@quake8292]

Thanks Charles, just ordered bags of loam soil and compost and they will be delivered next week. I should be able to start my little no dig garden soon.

[@HomesteadAtLast]

Charles, would you consider a video about how to harvest seeds from our favorite plants. I’m thinking that if I want seeds from a crop I’ll have to plant one or two more of it and let them go to seed? I don’t know though. Need your guidance!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Best watch my video Seed Saving

[@wrongfullyaccused7139]

Very useful video. Thank you for pointing out that compost is NOT fertilizer! Ever since I obtained a chipper shredder I have had the best fun making large compost piles for my garden. I am about to build a small scale Johnson Su bioreactor out of cattle panels and weed barrier. I live in northwest Florida where we have a lot of rain and brutally hot summers. The use of well broken down compost on the top of our raised beds does wonders in protecting the soil and retaining moisture. The sun literally kills the soil, turning into useless sand. Thank you for your input.

[@foxtrot260]

Thank's for the subtitles in portuguese ,I'm subscribed from Brazil.

[@carolinw.7351]

While the soil microbiome is feeding on Charles's compost, my eyes are feasting on the beauty of the setting of this shot; lighting, colours, composition,... 😍

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks, Edward will be delighted to hear that

[@jfrank1882]

...a post from Huw Richards now one from Mr. Dowding. Can my Friday get any better??? 😩. And I too did believe that compost leaches 🤦‍♂️

[@link_7164]

Real Seeds were taking orders for a short while today too.

[@carolineowen7846]

Yay, makes it a fabulous Friday :)

[@link_7164]

@timothy harris thanks for the heads up, I’ll have a look!

[@giuseppemolinario9611]

Nice compost! mine is 45 c and it’s 0 degrees out

[@kama3539]

greetings from Poland

[@Digger927]

Ah, such a beautiful method, thanks Charles! You fit right in with my other mentors like Greg Judy, Gabe Brown, Ray Artchuletta, David Brandt and others. You're all global treasures. I'm in KS USA and right now this video is very welcome as our temp is sitting at 13F.....

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Fantastic! Except for your temperature outside, good luck

[@richstone2627]

Another first rate presentation. Thank you.

[@dn744]

Tidied my polly tunnel out, looks much tidier now ready for the next growth 🙌

[@saschathinius7082]

Thank you again for explaining this so perfectly, btw the german auto google subtitles work perfectly! So meine deutschen Landsleute macht einfach die deutschen Untertitel an wenn ihr Charles sonst nicht versteht🤣🤣

[@JC-hu1wd]

Greetings from the UK.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Großartig, und wir zahlen dafür, dass wir die richtigen deutschen Untertitel haben. Sie vermuten, dass dies das ist, was Sie sehen. Sie sollten besser sein als Google. 😀

[@saschathinius7082]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig : ah okay, money well spent, I can do quality checks on german... and btw, you decide if you want to start using the nonformal you 'du ' when talking german... I'm Sascha

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

@@saschathinius7082 genau!

[@saschathinius7082]

@Peter Pan: If Charles ever needs an additional/alternative career option, he definitely can do audio books or such... this voice and speech attitude is a gift

[@kevinrobertson6711]

Nothing but respect for teaching and leadership. Would appreciate your feedback on the Johnson-Su compost pile

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Kevin and it's too early to say yet but I am encouraged, and shall know more by the autumn.

[@WHM584]

What treat - another excellent video 👌thank you Charles 🙏

[@jussainaoliveira486]

Charles, you are a star. Thank you very very much. Hugs from Asturias

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You are very welcome

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Brilliant Charles. Love these videos.

[@nonyadamnbusiness9887]

Another relaxing and informative video Mr. Dowding. If you grow on almost pure sand, like we have in Florida, you really see the purpose of compost. It makes a huge difference in the ability of the ground to hold water and fertilizers. Unfortunately for Florida, an inch of compost a year would just disappear in the heat and rain of summer.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes I have heard that, best of luck!

[@dramatriangle]

He shows us a secret at 15:05, I always wondered how he knew that information so easily!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Thank you for your down to earth honesty and authenticity. You obviously love doing this... and it shows.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cool and true!

[@grazynatretter7885]

Dziękuję Panu za film.,za napisy w języku polskim.Temat bardzo interesujący. Pozdrawiam Thanks for clevere information.😀👍👏🌾🌾🌾🌿🌿🌿🌿🌾🌿🌾🌾🌿🌷🌷🌷🌹🌹🌹🐝🐞

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad you like it :)

[@momcation9786]

Thank you Charles for teaching us about compost. You’re an awesome teacher! I’ll be planting eggplants and tomatoes this next two weeks here in San Diego, California. Wish me good luck. Today I shared my sweet peas flowers with a little girl who is our neighbor. She told me that her dream is to own trees. I told her she can adopt my two ficus trees in the front yard. Her Mom said it’s a joy to see my garden each time. That made me feel so happy. Thank you again for the inspiration! You’re the best teacher!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I am so happy to read this and to imagine how I can help people like you to spread some joy!

[@dalebusby8298]

Thanks for making this really love your content I am struggling to get any heat in my compost at present it’s frozen but I think it is down to size of heap it’s about 3 feet by 2 feet plastic bin I have thought about adding horse manure and grass cuttings to try and warm it up to get it to break down any other tips for getting it to warm up in the freezing temperatures ?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Dale unless you have a lot of green matter, which is unlikely in winter, it is also unlikely and I would not worry until about March to get it going faster

[@AMonikaD]

There you are!! Your adorable self is looking GREAT, Sir Charles!!! Greetings from cold Canada! I learned how to compost and use my horse/rabbit/chicken manure thanks to your sweet tush!!! My piles, contained by pallets steam all winter and I have bays, like you, and i am not sure how to express my greatfulnes ! I learned everything from you in the most pleasant of ways watching your cute smile and thorough explanations. Blessings from your Canadian secret admirer!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

How lovely Monika, it's nice to know you are there and can now do many good things 😀

[@andreafirth577]

Charles , how do you get sprouts and other brassica to grow straight ? I don’t seem to have this ability yet to get them to grow straight and unsure why . Thank you 😊

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Haha mine are quite bendy. Perhaps you transplant earlier so they are longer. Mine have full light, maybe you have tall tree or hedge nearby.

[@andreafirth577]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig thank you 😊

[@Warrior-In-the-Garden]

Mr. Dowding- for a man with such success and amazing knowledge base, it is your humbleness that is most striking. And yes you are correct about putting fresh bedding with manure- I did this last year and had a excellent grass harvest. But- I have my cardboard ready and this spring moving forward. Blessings to you and your work.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

So nice of you and nice description of grass harvest!

[@jennydavewhitney3746]

thanks again torquay dave

[@innaklenina4851]

Чарли, спасибо большое за Ваш опыт и знания.Вас очень приятно смотреть и слушать. 😊 Спасибо за русские субтитры.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

С удовольствием и спасибо

[@epichomesteading]

This thumbnail is nearly as epic as your gardens Charles :)

[@williamcox3412]

Not advertising in enough places as it is "Mr Epic"?? You actually have to bring your high -pressure "gardening as a business, so let's push all my sponsors products in every damned video" approach to someone else's site because you are so desperate for audience head count to maximize your market penetration??? The very clear take away here is that Mr Dowding is a class act who shares his pleasant wit, and gentle personal charm, with the knowledge and experience he has gained by digging in and getting his hands dirty. He is sharing with his audience, while you are always, always, always selling. Your approach is galling and anything BUT "epic". While Charles is the real deal, you are a pretender. Have a nice day.

[@Celestialrob]

Hey Charles it's your Devonshire Californian again. Inspired by your efforts I have converted my entire garden/yard to vegetables. The yard is 363 sq yards and the beds are 107 sq yds. I put down 4" of compost to start and used 11 yards or 8 tons (all moved in plastic containers in the back of my little EV!). In addition I've used 4 cubic yards of wood chip. The house ifs full of seed trays :) Love your videos. Thanks.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That is awesome Robert!

[@Celestialrob]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig It's a lot of work at the moment - but you know that 😀. Thanks for being my inspiration.

[@patuleagn3574]

Saludos desde la Paz Mexico.🌸

[@CG-ng3xw]

I have 4 yards of compost coming once our snow melts for 280 square feet, 4 inches deep (93 cubic feet). Homemade compost will be the 1 inch a year. Thanks for all the amazing information and superb presentation!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Good stuff Corey, lovely to imagine that

[@CG-ng3xw]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig quite excited! Big plans after having worked at it a couple years, reigning in the ambition a bit, and making some mistakes; plenty more to come for sure, but that's life and where real learning happens. Your sharing and guidance has made a lot of difference. The more I do with no dig gardening, the more take away from what you share I receive. Thanks again! Happy growing.

[@newkekarmyreee4788]

Thank you for you inspiration and good will.

[@simonfellowscarpenter4623]

Hi Charles... I have been watching a lot of your videos recently and have found them really helpful. In a video that I watched last night the name of your farm was mentioned and it rang a couple of bells in my head.. imagine my surprise when I discovered that I actually live less than 3 minutes away from you... thanks so much for putting your videos up. I am a very new gardener and am finding your content extremely helpful. Huge thanks Simon fellows

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

How amazing Simon, I hope to meet you here