No dig Potato Gardening: Expert Tips from Charles Dowding

See the whole process from sowing to 'earthing up' to harvest, by pulling not digging. Potato plants easily root into undisturbed, no dig soil, while developing potatoes need soft, surface material to grow in.
It's often assumed that potatoes just won't grow in soil that has not been thoroughly loosened, but this video shows the opposite.
Filmed at Homeacres April to July 2018 by Josh Rogers, in a spring that started cool and wet, then turned hot and dry after 3rd May. South West England zone 8 climate, last frost mid May.
For updates on how the no rotation worked in 2019, see this link charlesdowding.co.uk/three-st...
My garden is no dig and you see how few weeds are growing. We spend most of our time planting and picking, about two hours/week on weeding a quarter acre/1000m2.
For more on the simplicity of no dig, see • No Dig: feed the soil ... .
Read about no dig in our popular book double offer of Diary + No Dig Organic Home & Garden charlesdowding.co.uk/product/...
Follow me on Instagram for up to date posts from Homeacres charles_dowding
Videography, edit and the musical content created by Josh Rogers, who was working and learning here this year. He is @i_am_josh_rogers on KZbin at / @iamjoshrogers.8702
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As a member, you can watch a new video each month, which is exclusively for members. Your payments support my promotion and teaching of better, easier gardening. I can offer bursaries for day courses and online courses, through individuals in charge of community gardens/allotments and school gardens. Contact us through my website to enquire about bursaries charlesdowding.co.uk/contact-us/
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#nodig #healthyfood #growyourownveggies #growyourownfood #nodiggardening

[@brianbishop2803]

I 've been a traditional gardener for many years , but at the ripe old age of 76 was begining to find the digging hard work so decided to give no dig a try. I was very suspect about the potato growing, how can it work without ridging up?? Well, I've just lifted 35 1st earlies plants it took only 40 minutes including hand weeding, a good crop , a few green ones ( but probably less than when I ridged) so I am now a NO DIG CONVERT.!!!!! thank you Charles

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

So nice to read this Brian. I'm delighted to have saved you that work, and your soil will be healthier for it.

[@martinvera4567]

I’m just SO encouraged to hear you going strong at 76 years, you are my goals. I hope to do this till I physically can’t anymore lol

[@mayshomesteadchronicles]

Awesome! I guess I’m a convert as well hahs

[@andy1way]

@@martinvera4567 76 is a young man

[@howardchambers9679]

Just put my spuds in before watching this. I won't be digging again, at 65 it's getting a bit much. So, no dig here we come!

[@debbiep99]

Bob Ross of the gardening world. 😊

[@byEnTaze]

YES :)

[@minastirith997]

definitely

[@dimemega00]

facts

[@JosephE-yd6ks]

He's a legend

[@firehorsewoman414]

@ Liz P I laughed when I saw this because not only do I agree, but I just used that description on Prepper Potpourri’s channel. I absolutely love watching Mr. Dowding’s videos - so much to learn and melts the stress away at the same time.

[@ale189251]

I find myself back to this video every year when spring is about to come.

[@veronicavatter6436]

True story

[@Rayblondie]

Wow. Just what I was looking for. No big trenches and banking up. Thank you so much. Unfortunately the new style of KZbin doesn't let you comment so I had to put this into a normal search.

[@maureenellison1042]

I never comment, but you are great! Great advice, stage to stage, and your voice is calming to listen to. Mostly, just gardening,no music,graphics gimmicks... if you know what your doing, you don't need all that So Bravo!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Maureen, glad you like the content. Perhaps an analogy is how we find when eating these vegetables that their fine flavour means few other flavourings are needed!

[@cironicholas526]

These videos aren't just informative, they're also excellent to nap to.

[@ronnymoffatt1038]

21qq1+!

[@kehnili9363]

Calming voice and birds chirping

[@Nitecrow314]

@@kehnili9363 if livin is without yoouu, Kehni Li, can't give any more...

[@mreimi94]

right now it's not dangerous to watch your videos, but i have to keep myself from watching them in winter resulting in me not being able to wait until i can get started with planting... you are truly an inspiration and so sympatheticly telling us about what's important! love your videos, thank you so much for taking the time!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice comment thanks! You can start now with new beds and sowing for winter - kale, salads, see this timeline for ideas www.charlesdowding.co.uk/learn/sowing-timeline-vegetables/

[@GARDENER42]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Hi Charles. Link is dead.

[@ann7318]

If my bought potatoes start sprouting, I use them for seed potatoes, and they do well.

[@mewendy1]

I love harvesting potatoes. Idk what it is about it that's more satisfying than anything else I grow. Maybe it's like buried treasure! 😉

[@ronevilla]

Yeah.. Like treasures 😀

[@ellenacrystal5108]

iKR

[@zetalivsanns5360]

😊

[@arriesone1]

Rick Sanchez What nice memories you have. The older we get, the more we treasure our childhood days.

[@ArtByEmilyHare]

Totally agree, so much fun

[@mike1968442]

Please let the camera just roll. I will probably never make it in person to view this spectacular garden in person. Viewers can just zoom ahead if they dont want to watch. I truly wish you were my neighbor because of your ability to. Respond so calmly to each situation. Just love watching you roaming the garden. Your such an inspiring gardener and human!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Well thanks Sally. I have noticed that the longer videos are the most popular, like they are a story which people enjoy. The advice I often hear is "keep 'em short to increase viewer numbers"!!

[@veganchiefwarrior6444]

24/7 Home Acres live stream haha, we can be his security ;p

[@davidesteven5467]

Please consider not changing your editing methods one jot! The time lapses are well done and certainly better than having to fast forward. I don't even have a garden but I just spent the entire evening watching you garden. Excellent.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks for your feedback Davide, I am encouraged!

[@shakengrain1942]

@@davidesteven5467 Agreed!

[@23sunderland]

The great thing about finding Charles Dowding so late is i got lots to catch up with

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cup half full, and welcome Peter!

[@brendanpayne115]

My girl is 4 years old, we are in a pandemic and we're planting potatoes. Armageddon isn't so bad after all!-) Thanks Charles and stay safe and busy everybody!

[@inphiknitfractal]

The pandemic is not what it seems..truth will come out soon.. Remember appocalypse means "truth revealed".. The truth that has been hidden is, Pasteur was a fraud..viruses, microbes etc are part of the body's natural healing process. Western medical using antibiotics etc destroys the bacteria that are there to help us..just like chemical farming. Look into Dr Hamer's research for more info..(Caroline Markolin is a good presenter of it)

[@sergeisukhoruchenkov2915]

Watch a channel - Epic Sellouts ! Good luck !

[@jenniferjarvis1207]

Have you seen the little forager girl on facebook, "Nora_on_food"? Gorgeous wee gal doing videos on foraging for edible weeds and nuts etc, cooking etc. Might be something your little girl and you enjoy watching

[@BlackDragonWitheHawk]

@@inphiknitfractal you do know that antibiotics have their roots in fungy, and at least some of them are still naturaly produced and farmed? (Though the majority today is syntheticaly produced) And to say that (basically driving your remarks into a pointed version) "there is no virus" is a bit harsh against all the people who died or lost loved once due to it. Also I think politics and theories that are in no way factual and or profable about such stuff should not be discussed in the comment section of a gardening channel, even if a commentator remarques that he is planting potatoes because of this pandemic. The first is an unnecessary form of atention seeking and spreading of mistrust and probably false information, the second is a fair statement about a special situation currently going on. Political rant closed.

[@undernetjack]

Inphiknit fractal First apocalypse from Greek means uncovering, Latin - revelation -from the bible. Not 'truth revealed' The truth cannot be hidden , though ignored, twisted, sure. Pasteur was not a fraud, (expletive deleted). Get an education and get off youtube. Find some books, in a library. People can literally say anything on youtube, does not make it true. Any good debater can make Anything sound believable, if not like unassailable truth. Always view unusual opinion/statement with skepticism, find several sources, especially contradictory sources. Understand your brains bias toward only looking for validation of your opinion or ideas. The sad truth usually lies in between one side, the other, and your own take on any matter. Do Not blindly parrot 'what I saw on youtube one time' as the end all beat all Truth. That only makes you look like a kook. Plus, this only serves to galvanize opinions against your claim, for example, you cannot convince someone the sky is red merely by claiming it. Instead ask, what color is the sky? Some say blue, some say baroque, some green, I've even seen red and purple near dawn and dusk. Is it really just blue? No, you have seen many colors , as have I. See? I did not challenge your belief, merely caused you to question it. Then stop there. They will do the rest. Come to another conclusion, new belief. Your calling someone a fraud because someone else told you so only makes you a different kind of sheeple. Do not trashtalk anyone. Its bad form, makes you seem weak minded. Instead , call into question their achievements...what did Pasteur discover? Has that knowledge been abused, twisted or coopted for some agenda? What is Agenda 21? Why does it outlaw homeopathic remedies? Vitamin supplements? Make vaccinations mandatory? All in the name of supposed 'sustainability', huh? The vaccine manufacturers know there are always some people that have side effects, some people die, but that is acceptable? It is not even hidden information. Yet the governments will pass a law making them mandatory, even if it kills thousands or tens of thousands, yet exempt themselves in the same legislation. Can't happen in America you say? Ask those who got polio from the vaccine, or anyone born before 1970 that has a smallpox vaccine scar on their left arm? Was that mandatory? Yes. Did people die? Yes. Will it happen again? Yes. Will you allow it to be you? I, for one, will not. No. Not for the current flu vaccine, not for some boogyman virus. I will protect me and mine. Shove that vaccine where it don't shine, commie bastard. Try putting that jackboot on my neck and you will loose the leg. Rights, Freedom, Constitution., Semper Fidelis, ''Merica f-yeah.

[@veradejong9437]

Digging potatoes is such an exciting and satisfaction feeling

[@debbienavejas9673]

Yes!

[@miranduri]

What a great video. Not only is the garden producing tons, it is also gorgeous. I am sure the plants know that Mr. Dowding is always smiling. What a treat.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Many thanks!

[@smathe3]

Literally one of the most beautiful gardens on planet Earth. Order from chaos. Cheers from South Carolina, USA.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cheers Steve, a lovely place I hear

[@shakengrain1942]

Ditto from another South Carolinian! I hear many other KZbin gardeners referring to Mr. Dowding and his methods these days. Must be becoming the world's number 1 favorite gardener! Yes, certainly the most beautiful and abundant!

[@barbaralangdon4984]

I agree, from a South Carolinian in old Barnwell District, likely not too far from Mr. Matheny.

[@constanceperkins2614]

Do you have to use seed potatoes please

[@wobblybobengland]

@@constanceperkins2614 Supermarket potatoes have a substance applied that prevents them forming sprouts but if you leave them long enough and they do form sprouts then they should be fine.

[@JB-yk2ee]

I switched to no dig last year and this was my first year trying out no dig potatoes. I am trying purple, reds, yukon golds and russets. Life has never been easier and more fulfilling after utilizing these simple no dig principles. My family is eating healthy foods for pennies and I'm still able to keep planting more potato seeds, tomatoes, and fruits because my time is so drastically freed up with no weeds nor digging. Thanks again Charles

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wonderful to see this 💚

[@vickiburt2676]

Mr. Rogers & Mr.Dowding, you learn everything from these 2 men who teach you how to have the best life experiences.

[@peace4peaceful]

Who is mr Roberts?

[@barbiemagnolia3943]

Fred Rogers aka mr Roger's neighborhood children's television show😍

[@peace4peaceful]

@@barbiemagnolia3943 thank you 😊

[@schrodingerscat1863]

I have always had the best luck with potatoes planting in large black buckets. Makes harvesting very easy and always get a great crop, also makes watering easier.

[@tickledpink6684]

Am I the only one that feels like napping in a hammock after watching Mr. Dowding?

[@leroybrownie9188]

He's like the Bob Ross of gardening, lol. So soothing to watch and listen to! :)

[@vivienmakovik8054]

SimpleOrganicSoap oh my word!!! You got the nail on the head!!!! Yes, I feel like resting in a hammock Cos he makes it look so easy I feel like I’ve done the work and need a well Earned snooze!!! Hahahaha

[@faithsrvtrip8768]

Time for a cuppa mint tea :)

[@louiseharper7850]

I've heard he has this effect on quite a few female viewers!

[@louiseharper7850]

@@leroybrownie9188 love watching Bob Ross, I'm asleep before he completes the painting!

[@russruss2446]

I watched your clips and planted potatoes on my lawn, newspapers over and under compost, small holes for the seed potatoes. They’re growing great! No digging, no problems. Thank you!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice to hear Russ Russ

[@sandraruggeriisthehouseamo946]

@Kelly Clyde 5?58085

[@madresefonoon]

@Kelly Clyde Hi.newspaper under compost??? doesn't forking damage to newspapar?

[@Nitecrow314]

@@madresefonoon What the fork are you talking about?

[@madresefonoon]

@@Nitecrow314tanx for reply. i mean deep shovel and cultivate and forking.does not penetrate in newspapers?

[@gardengym496]

Hello from Ukraine, Charles! Did my first in life attempt to plant anything and with the help of no-dig from the get-go. I've planted a potatoe just today, did not have a possibility to try this before, know I am a bit late. Well, even if the experiemnt fails, I will come back to it next year with the bigger garden scales for sure! Thank you so much for your experience and knowledge, sir!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wonderful and thanks for your feedback, I wish you some tasty harvests

[@starlenestarlene]

Thinking of you in Ukraine and praying for your safety.

[@gardengym496]

@@starlenestarlene thanks a lot! We appreciate the support

[@sougataghar1179]

More power to you

[@gardengym496]

@@sougataghar1179 thanks! will be planting potato or something else soon into the same bed!

[@squange20]

I’m watching this video just in time before I sow my potatoes, and your no-nonsense approach to sowing them is perfect. I sowed some in large pots a few months ago, but only got a handful, so hopefully this year we’ll have a better outcome. Thank you Charles for all the wonderful videos that really help new gardeners succeed.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad it was helpful! I appreciate you commenting

[@littlebee879]

im looking forward to 2021 and growing potatoes the no-dig way!

[@johnkay4701]

Just planted today, 24x Tesco potatoes in what had been my lawn. I'd pre=covered it with old newspaper several months ago to reduce the grass & weeds. I so wish my soil was like yours in the video. Mine is heavy clay, very wet & loads of stones further down. I do have some compost in the making, that I'll be covering the top with in a few weeks, all being well. Phewww... I'm knackered now. JohnnyK.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wonderful, every little helps 😀

[@Sandra-Armstrong]

Awesome... thank you for the numbers!! It's so helpful to have that data to make realistic comparisons between one type of garden production versus another, for the most food output. 🙏🏽 Much appreciate it!!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad it was helpful Sandra

[@lindaford3976]

I believe I have found my TRUE Father!!! I have dirt in my veins!!Absolutely the most BEAUTIFUL Garden I have ever dreamed of having!!

[@tanyaratti]

I really enjoy these trial vids as it gives me a good grounding on no dig. It proves the yield is better when leaving micro life alone. It’s the soil life that is the most import element.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You got it 😀and the life part has been so ignored. Even 'organic' farmers use tillers a lot, though less so now as awareness grows.

[@shawniscoolerthanyou]

I really like that how you put in the effort to trial different methods and composts. It really helps shine the light of empiricism on an area that can often be subject to unsupported folk wisdom.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks. Yes a lot of the latter!

[@sallyhenry1716]

I ❤️🥔🥔🥔! I enjoy eating them in anyway! And now I can NO DIG them in my garden thanks to you Charles 👍🏼🤗😋

[@mantasl2835]

i dont know why but i love this man

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cheers Mantas, the world needs more love

[@illustr8life863]

Last year I planted potatoes in a raised bed and they got attacked by potato flea beetles. This year I threw them on top of my compost bin and covered with 5 inches of wood chip and they are just about ready to harvest! Beautiful! Your books arrived today and they are absolutely gorgeous! I got the Diary and No Dig Organic Home & Garden. Spending a rainy day in the snug learning and planning for my mid June sowings. 37º N 1600 ft elevation, mountain. I see a lot of homemade goodies in my future! Lovely Recipes for EVERYTHING in your book! I want one of those storage dressers so will be on the lookout for a used one. My favorite photo is seeing that set up as a larder for winter. Pure contentment. (Chapter 10 page 87)

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Lovely to hear this, I wish you well

[@reallyabilbo2096]

They're like little piles of dragon or alligator eggs. I love them. This video made me so happy. ^.^

[@artsychic2000]

it's spring, it's friday and i'm binging on charles dowding! ; )

[@Themurphyshow7]

Same, LoL

[@caiphusmashao8760]

I am an aspiring farmer and a gardener, I love how scientific you are about your experiments and the effort you take to make it understandable, thanks.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Best of luck and thanks :)

[@katshomekorner9194]

I've heard a multiple of times that I don't want green on my potatoes, but never why. Charles is the first one to say why. Thanks, Charles.

[@tophercIaus]

130kg of potatoes in such a small space, no rotation, and leek harvests on top of that over just 4 years! That's amazing. I definitely need to water my spuds (potatoes), being in Australia, but I haven't mastered the timing. I really enjoy these sequential videos, showing the whole process. Thanks again.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Chris and enjoy that

[@barbsnyder480]

Wow thanks for a great post!

[@Floreypottery]

Once the start blooming their making potato’s I’d water well they seem to just suck it right up

[@jdeuts]

Floreypottery I am in Australia too, and a novice so excuse the rudimental question. What do you mean by ‘blooming’ - the flowers that showed on the established plant or when the greenery first develops from the soil? Thank you for your helpful comments

[@haggispixie]

@@jdeuts 'Blooming' is always flower-related.

[@peterturner1582]

What a great teacher you are!! I am about to plant my first no dig potatoes here in Brisbane Australia (sub-tropical zone). Nothing beats the taste of baby new potatoes with butter and parsley. Luckily here I can grow most vegetables, except brassicas, all year round. My brassicas are doing well and will be harvested in a couple of weeks. They have also been grown using the no dig methodology.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

So nice of you Peter and enjoy that harvest

[@julia1234]

I’m in Esk .. would love to know what time of year you planted ? This will be my first time growing them but maybe we get a few more early morning frosts than you in Brisbane ?

[@peterturner1582]

@@julia1234 I planted my Spring spuds about 3 weeks ago.

[@wwsuwannee7993]

"Blow me down, there's a potato I missed" Sounds like Caribbean privateer speak, of course most of them were Englishmen :) Good video, thanks Charles.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Funny!

[@mababesmiller8470]

This was a phrase used by my family when. Grew up in Iowa. I haven’t heard it in years, but it immediately brought back wonderful memories!!

[@robertlavrakas7442]

A master gardener!

[@HelenEk7]

What a lovely way to spend Sunday morning, - watching some Charles Dowding videos. Greetings from Norway.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Morning Helen (though Monday now!) and thanks

[@ericfulda4196]

This video is rich with ideas to try (trial) on my new farm to determine what plants and vegetables will grow best to what planting method to experiment, such as till or no till. I love the fact that he discovered the bed where he did the least amount of digging produce larger crops than the tilled soil bed. His conclusion is: NO DIG IS WORKING REALLY WELL !

[@zoeslovely7096]

I look SO forward to your videos! Absolutely love how you teach.

[@NoYes-gz7rz]

Never more than two minutes before he makes me sleep. Thankyou Charles ,

[@lindapenney5207]

Blessings in sharing Charles

[@howconnie]

Really nice potato harvest

[@Mr.Pennington]

Your videos are a pleasure to watch. You have a child-like joy in the garden, and i love all the experiments!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

thanks Mr P

[@gernkmccory3836]

I'm never gonna kill my back again, cheers Charles!

[@LucyJazzy85]

Not that you need any more subs but I did bc tho this is 20 minutes long you never repeated yourself, gave tons of info which answered many questions and you showed every step. I’m in very hot and humid central Florida, but I feel I can apply this info with perhaps some minor modifications. GREAT VIDEO!! You should be proud. 💜

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Well thanks Lucy, that is a special plaudit. We do our best and Josh who filmed and edited this has a good talent. It's lovely to be able to show the whole process. Enjoy the other videos, and I have two subscribers in Florida on sand soil who say that no dig with compost mulch works well for them. Just different timings for sure.

[@LucyJazzy85]

Charles Dowding Charles Dowding again, your info is remarkably reassuring. I know only two extremes, here, and Jersey (as in the Channel Islands where my family lives ...) I recall being quite undone when I discovered that it is virtually impossible to grow asparagus here, whereas in Jersey, 14 miles from the coast of France, it is practically a weed! You are truly blessed to have had the foresight to film your “befores and afters.” As I said before, you must be very proud (and rightly so) when you have such a tangible review of how far you’ve come, and the immense difference for the better, that you - and your Josh - have made in your own little corner of the planet (let alone the difference you have made in the lives of complete strangers...). So, bully for Josh who has recorded your accomplishments for all time. You now have proof of the “mark” you have made in this world... plus you have videos that will still exist, AND benefit others, long after we are gone. You have found your purpose in life (at least one anyway!) and not many people can say that. So I salute you, and Josh, and thank you both for such quiet encouragement. Be well. Be blessed. And much love 💜💜💜

[@SK-lt1so]

We've left potatoes in the ground for months. In zone 5b, over winter, and taken them out of the ground in the spring, very edible.

[@wendyeames5758]

Wow!!

[@chandrikatilwalli4741]

Thanks for the tip , Ian in zone 5B too.

[@Navajosun]

First time potato grower here. I had some sprouting up from last year that I missed. Dug them up and they look really good, like they’re ready to start producing again. Do you think I can replant them and they’ll give me new potatoes?

[@SK-lt1so]

@@Navajosun Yes

[@Navajosun]

@@SK-lt1so Why thank you so much. I have some left over so I'm going to plant them. God Speed!

[@rebeccashetter8389]

Thank you for sharing all your knowledge; really appreciate all your hard work..

[@swizzleproxi4810]

Thankyou for sharing your gardening tips.👍☺

[@SonShines1]

Thx Charles. U definitely are onto a simplified system for growing. I can see there is great reward in your efforts. Many will benefit from your vids

[@Gandalf-The-Green]

Thanks to your videos I am not very much into crop rotation either now. I grow my potatoes on the same beds every other year, they do not seem to mind. I find it rewarding to grow at least one staple - a few bags of potatoes are a great food security, and homegrown potatoes taste awesome, no comparison to store bought produce.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Lovely to hear, well done

[@patrickstammeyer6531]

Hello from Iowa usa not sure why I clicked on your video but I enjoyed it very much . This may be something that British people are aware of but for some reason we Americans think that anyone speaking with an accent like yours is an absolute genius, that you are refined of the highest quality and most educated a person can be. All of that may be true,but it wouldn't be because of the accent, I guess it's just a stereotype we Americans have about British people. It is in the am hours and I could not sleep my job is very stressful right now the style of your video and mannerisms are very calming thank you

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Patrick thanks for writing and sorry to hear about your job, pleased to help and how curious about the accent interpretation!

[@patrickmeehan6221]

You make it look so easy Charles.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😀

[@lorraineg8134]

Great to revisit this video. Thanks so much Charles.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad it was helpful Lorraine 🌷

[@lorraineg8134]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig as was your pea one, i had issues last year with mine. Our allotments are closed for now for precaution reasins with the virus, we are in total agreement with the other. Bless them. Thanks Charles.

[@joan66joshua]

Just a delight watching you in the garden. Digging potatoes was beautiful. Joan India

[@CubasAutomotive]

Wow! I like the fact you do your own trials, testing different ways of prepping the soil. You're very thorough in explaining why or your motives of doing things and I feel I absorb so much from your videos! Thank you Charles! 🤗🤗

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice to hear: I am sharing a lot of experience.

[@sorayamarriott9245]

Very much enjoy watching your videos and I am taking a lot if notes .. I was able to get a allotment recently will miss out this year as I need to get the plot ready before growing anything..can I say your garden is amazing and I'm privileged to watch your videos .. keep up the good work thank you

[@valerieann8007]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Do you add worms to your plant's soil right in the beginning to loosen the soil so roots can easily spread in the soil?

[@sangziukulimbe2386]

Well done grandfather

[@choppy249]

The way Charles laid out all his potatoes here at the beginning and then just popped them in with his trowel is exactly the same way I have been doing it for many years , to save time and effort and to save your back . The only difference is that before this I would have dug over the bed thoroughly and weeded it , then raked it flat . I have never dug ditches for the potatoes or double dug as I felt this was a complete waste of time and energy . One dig was enough I have always thought . However now I must admit that I can’t wait to try this method in one of my new no dig beds . I was converted last year and now have three on my allotment . The crop last year for our brassica no dig bed was wonderful . I was sceptical at first but the results were fantastic , so thank you Charles for converting us .I would recommend to everybody out there to give this no dig method a try even if you have reservations like I did .Find out and see for yourself . A few years back I would never have believed it possible to grow potatoes using this method but now as I said I can’t wait to get going .

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice to hear and it's a great life lesson too, that change is possible. May you have a fine potato harvest

[@choppy249]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig . Thank you very much.

[@GinaC4]

This is fantastic-thank you for measuring and teaching- fascinating to see no disruption of soil is actually good for plant and yield!

[@loucarter3034]

Thank you for changing my life........ I love the no dig concept.

[@affordablesolarguy]

I'm a beginner, two years of learning, and I completely agree with all your findings thus far. Maybe nature really knows best, despite humans trying to manipulate our little planet.

[@opencoop4268]

About to plant my first batch of potatoes. Thanks for the tips!

[@joshuahoyer1279]

A thought for a potential additional trial is to add a deep mulch of fall leaves over one bed once the potatoes are planted. The additional moisture retention could be a big difference in a hot, dry summer. Plus, it could save the "extra" effort of mounding up as the potatoes push upward over the original compost.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice thought, thanks, Joshua

[@priayief]

Wonderfully informative! Thanks.

[@jeshurunfarm]

Respect from Africa 🇿🇦

[@Etoac]

So inspiring.... thanks for sharing your big knowledge and your passion!

[@evephillips6701]

Nice info video as always Charles...love spuds!

[@notillgrowers]

We've been looking at doing our entire potato patch this way next year after a devastatingly mediocre harvest this year. Your certainly gives me confidence. Thank you so much for these videos!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great and I wish you well with it

[@notillgrowers]

Charles Dowding thank you!

[@tyrloki5999]

Lovely! Thank you Charles.

[@IsleofWightBushcraft]

I’ll follow your lead on this Charles and do the same this coming growing season. As always, thank you very much for top quality content.

[@user-xg8qf1dd3b]

nice garden ! no weeds! everything is clean and beautiful!

[@mrjim7369]

Getting ready to reorganise my one big veg patch into a few smaller beds later in the year so it is easier to manage and rotate crops, got all the compost brewing ready to go no dig (although I have been doing this anyway to a degree). Your videos have been invaluable as both a technical help and an inspirational one :)

[@riverunner9978]

Beautiful harvest!

[@sandraazevedo4423]

Charles loved his class on how to plant potatoes, he was curious to learn how to plant and today watching your videos I learned a lot, congratulations for the great teacher you are.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Sandra

[@sandraazevedo4423]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig imagine Charles you are top.😎😎😍😍😍😍👏👏👏👏👏

[@madhattersartstudio8344]

I am in Texas, USA and love your garden, i hope one day visit your garden =) maybe next year.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

See you 2019!

[@AwesomeK285]

I love your vegetable garden. It looks so healthy, so neat and so clean

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Many thanks Crystal

[@HomesteadHopeful]

Thank you! This answers so many questions!!

[@aalusa7317]

Great Harvest :). I love potatoes and can't wait to start growing them for my family.

[@dumbledoor9293]

Great video 👍

[@susancaulton5470]

I’ve just realised you lived in France, as did I for 8 years and that’s where I found Charlottes, I agree they are a lovely spud. Your videos are such an inspiration, thank you.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Susan Caulton yes we lived Astaffort 47, “pays de Cabrel “

[@muhammedb5357]

I'm here to show my appreciation 💯. Loving your channel and this year I'm being pro-active instead of reactive. Hence I'm here in February 😉

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I appreciate that Muhammed, have a productive year

[@mhyntanelteg9736]

Wow! Love your garden...thanks for the info.

[@thedr00]

So inspiring: thank you!

[@Ryan-Fkrepublicnz]

Charles, thanks for your work! The science behind why you get less yield when you "fork" or turn the soil is that when you expose the humic acid (which keeps the nutrients from leaching as well as acting as a chelator of nutrients), it mixes with carbon dioxide and turns to a gas and leaves the soil.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Ryan, very helpful. This needs to be more known, since broadforking is well esteemed.

[@beckym5730]

Beautiful garden love that it weed free so we can see better on what your talking I’ve learned a lot thank you.

[@DavidSmith-jr9im]

Hello, I'm David Smith well into retirement in Gloucestershire and I followed this advice on the video, except that I used grass mowings instead of compost, to cover the ground while they were growing. After roughly 11 weeks of growth, by July 4th, I was truly surprised by the size of the potatoes, and how relatively clean they were. I am really pleased by the results. They were a good size also.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks for sharing David. This year was dry, but in a wet year you might have suffered slugs accumulating under the grass which would have been more soggy. I'm glad it worked so well for you this year

[@patgentry7268]

I’m picking up 2 cubic yards of mushroom compost tomorrow! Thanks for the inspiration...it took current isolation for me to garden this well. Such an interesting outcome, and not all bad.

[@jondavies5814]

I really enjoyed that Charles. I always look forward to your videos and I'm slowly turning my garden towards no dig. I couldn't help noticing your squash/pumpkins to the left. It would be great to see you do a start to finish on them please

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Jon and we are close to time limit now, I may well put more info in an online course

[@gimpbubba]

Exceedingly helpful as always!

[@brambleberrycreekhomestead6883]

Beautiful harvest! Thanks for sharing!

[@eliev7844]

Just wonderful watching such a master at work! What an inspiration!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

thanks Elie

[@OrtoInScatola]

I love these longer videos. I never tried potatoes because I figured they would need a very deep raised bed, but what you are showing here makes me believe that I could try next year in my 20cm deep long bed (4m long) sharing the space with carrots.

[@40ny]

As always, very informative and inspiring.

[@user-dp4bu8jy4b]

Omg...seeing the green growth is so exciting. I cant wait to try here in NY even though its late

[@lindalinda1569]

Fantastic video, Thankyou so much! Great yield. Love your garden 😃

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Linda

[@zaliabutler1544]

Great great great video. You are a master gardener. I absolutely love watching you garden😆😇

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thankyou Zalia!

[@suzannecrowe5701]

We thrive on your experiments 😍

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚 So nice of you

[@patilkranti1]

This is so satisfying to see harvesting potatoes.. lovely garden:)