How to Start a No Dig Bed

Watch as I take you through the sequence of starting your first 'no dig' garden bed.
Charles Dowding Channel: / charlesdowding1nodig
Proper DIY Patreon Page: / properdiy

[@lisahodges8299]

I built mine up higher to avoid knee strain as I age. The local council often supply compost made from recycled garden waste. This compost will need to be further fitted but will fill up the bed allowing for the better stuff on top. Birdy

[@ashleymccarthy6232]

You may benefit from having anti-aphid plants scattered amongst your crops for protection. Plants that will attract natural predators of aphids such as ladybirds are Sweet Alyssum, Parsley, Marigolds, Garlic and Geraniums. Just food for thought! Looking forward to more videos!

[@lizargh]

hi Ashley, do you mean the thick fleshy pelargoniums or the cranesbill type geraniums? x

[@mauricewatts2380]

I went over to this method of veg growing 3years ago after watching Charles Dowling on KZbin. What a difference. Weeding time is minimal now. I predict you will be planting out spring onions, radishes etc multi sown in modules soon. Good luck.

[@curiousmatt]

Looks great! One thing I've learned the hard way which you might discover - your courgettes look quite close together, and they are quite rampant when they grow. You may find they smother the other veg so keep an eye on them. Also you are going to have a LOT of courgettes! My freezer is still half full of courgette and tomato pasta sauce from last years produce!

[@jimlepeu577]

Air rifle is good protection against the rabbits and there is rabbit pie as a bonus.

[@colingoode3702]

Our Son's girlfriend uses this method on her allotment. Works well when you are starting from scratch but not so easy for established borders etc. Currently I'm waging war on dandelions in our grass. Keep em coming Stuart

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks Colin

[@TheWardagh]

Great job! You have a great bit of space there and I’m enjoying watching the progress

[@Kindred1000]

You could try wetting the cardboard before you lay it down. I'm thinking the weight of the soggy cardboard will stop it blowing away. Great video as always!

[@C4sp3r123]

Looks good and sure it will taste good as long as those rabbits don't find a way in! Suggestion for watering...given your recent watering video about time saving when it comes to watering. Could you add some sort of "sprinkler" system or "drip" system, either laying next to the various stuff or hung/cable tied to the plastic conduit so all you have to do is attach a hose and turn a tap on/off or better still have it on a timer, then no need to worry about watering. Should be a pretty cheap add on but a big time saver.

[@weleshboatian5159]

"At SLUG" Headquarters, they are dividing up your super supper....... Best prepared to do some nighttime patrols, in this lovely warm weather. My tip is to water in the mornings, Had you thought about a timer groundwater system. Best of luck, with this adventure. "you might have to slug it out....."

[@wanderdowndave3778]

A bit late to the party, but great idea. Thanks

[@valborchardt3596]

Really nice job there Stuart, the netting is an awesome plan…..thank you for this, its given me ideas for my garden. Take care

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks Val

[@roger4880]

Excellent video thanks! I'm a big fan of Bailey's also, have had great quality soil from them and no weeds!

[@GeeWhizRS]

It was about time you got that Proper DIY workwear sorted. Good man. Very smart indeed. 🥳 Great work on the veg patch. You’ll be needing a machine gun to keep the locals off them when the food shortages start. 👌

[@gmo4250]

Ha ha, that was like watching Laurel and Hardy, you knew what was coming, but it was still funny. 😂😂

[@DontCropMeNow]

Looks great. We have 500 sq.m of growing space all now no dig- brilliant method! We hardly buy any veg at all. You will have lots of courgettes I am sure!

[@anwolfs9804]

sounds and looks all very familiar, even the trunking! But you did give me a good idea with putting the irons in the ground and putting the trunkings on that, we just shove them into the ground to make our tunnels. Also works nice with a piece of plastic instead of mesh, if you want to protect them from frost earlier on in the year. Enjoyed this vid, really hits home!

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks

[@dwalsh3469]

Garden schmarden. Focus on the big shed in the new field. Chuck Norris your journey through the brambles, like a man (wear PPE though), and show us the hidden prize 😇.

[@jamierandell348]

Brilliant work Stuart 👍👍

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks

[@projectrebuild908]

Great video and a great low cost no dig bed.

[@MrBlu334]

Just a small tip, compost right to the edge and over the cardboard. This will help limit the number of slugs and snails that will love living underneath that exposed damp cardboard. But looks great and good luck with it 👍

[@MrMush78]

If Rabbits want your veg they will simply chew through the netting ! Looks good though 👍

[@loratollefson4498]

I found this video today and notice that it was published a year ago. Can you give an update on the garden and if you will continue with No Dig gardening? Thanks!

[@anthonyb8208]

Keep them coming Stewart.

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you

[@jonohanson1]

Looking good, loving the new content from the new patch. I use hoops and net on my allotment, I've been using 25mm blue pipe (50M roll) from screwfix, and scaffold netting (ebay/Amazon) and this has worked well for years and very budget friendly. What are you using for the metal pins? Would love to see a DIY polytunnel build ;)

[@garulusglandarius6126]

Another excellent/enjoyable video Stuart 👍

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks

[@AndrewKenmare]

Nice one Stuart, I'm sure this will inspire lots of us to grow our own. Entertaining as usual 🤣

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks Andrew

[@mjk8710]

Fantastic food tunnel Stuart outstanding sir 💯👍🏻🇬🇧

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks Mark

[@jasonmartin5430]

Just a thought on the propensity of cardboard to get blown away.....It won't get far if it is damp when you lay it ;)

[@peterwilliams6188]

Any thoughts about building a greenhouse Stuart. I have inherited my father-in-law’s greenhouse but I need some guidance on how to construct a base and line of bricks. A video on this subject would be great. Thank you. PJW

[@streaky81]

Other benefit of the net is it'll keep snails and slugs off - which is a pain now most stuff to deal with them is banned, a field like that there'll be millions of them. Only concern I'd have is if the pvc tube might sag a little in the heat, I don't know anything and I'm not saying for sure, but it seems possible - even if yours doesn't something for your viewers to consider if they build their own; that certain plastics will.

[@leonhdg4164]

I love your videos, I learn soo much from them, keep up the good work dude

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks

[@edwardadams8264]

Nice job

[@marknadin770]

Stuart get yourself petrol wheel barrow i have a zipper great bit of kit 👍👍🍺🍺

[@martynbuzzing3327]

That's so neat. Thanks .

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you like it!

[@mungoh]

Always interested to see your work Stuart: thankyou. I'd be inclined to make a more substantial structure, with wire anti-rabbit mesh plus an easier access method. 100mm depth of soil doesn't feel that suitable, but I've been wrong before.

[@clivewoolley4492]

Don't forget the slugs and snails.

[@williamwales6619]

Well done Stewart.Wee suggestion, how about a wee 4x4 gizmo and a trailer for the new Garden. 17 barra loads.!!No fur me mate. Rather invest in the 4x4 they are handy wee things as long as you resist the urge to go Dirt Biking wae it 👍

[@C4sp3r123]

Quad bike would be great or as I suggested on another video a powered wheelbarrow, Makita do one that works off one LXT 18V battery and can move a heck of a weight with no effort.

[@grotekleum]

I was rather hoping you were going to show us an easy to make conveyor-belt system to get the compost to where you wanted it :). Layers of newspaper can be used too if you haven't enough cardboard.

[@murdomackay7438]

Maybe a company that do large polytunnels seen as you've got heaps of space would sort you one out yet for a review

[@ab1404]

Can I ask pls, what rods did you use for the conduit poles?

[@stunimbus1543]

I always worry about importing soil to my garden - just in case there are any horrors lurking in the soil - such as Knotweed.

[@Kev_Smith]

Just to be a bit picky - I'd be amazed if that was actually a ton of compost ;-) Bulk bag yes, ton ... hmmm :) Same goes for any (decent) soil in a bulk bag. Thanks for the video though. Will forward this on to SheWhoShallBeObeyed.

[@davidsnuggs7623]

With that land you need a Polaris to move things around

[@andrewarcher880]

Be a darn sight quicker if you filled the barrow... lol

[@paulcookcook1500]

I'm surprised that you haven't got a small tractor and tralier. Iv got a Handy power barrow and made a trailer (my wife says I look like Tom good off the good life ) .

[@deanwellerassociates]

Stuart does it nice 'cause he does it twice (or three or more times). If you ever need hand mate, just shout. Good luck with the veggies

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks Dean

[@tuesboomer1623]

Great vid. Proper DIY channels Mr. McGregor. Nice budget solution given what raised beds and timber borders would have cost you these days. Hoop material and stakes is genius. If you solve the pollinator access issue, let us know.

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks

[@tuesboomer1623]

@@stevea3200 And they are still genius. And 40 years ago, we weren't all gardeners, so a revisit and introduction to those of us who are just starting out is a welcome and positive thing.

[@tuesboomer1623]

@@stevea3200 No.

[@aliwho]

Hi wen did u get into that she'd is there a video about it

[@dawkinsm]

Saw a good tip from another channel earlier for offloading tonne bags. Before it’s dropped off lay down some board or find a place that it’s good to be dropped onto out of the bag. Get the delivery people to hold the bag a few feet above ground then slit the bottom of the bag. You’ve then got the soil / gravel etc… on the ground so it’s easier to shovel up. 😀Doesn’t get rid of the 100m walk sadly 😩

[@musheopeaus4125]

Whats the tunes when you put the fleece over ?

[@williamwales6619]

Oh and BTW .Rabbits dig holes. Huve ye never seen Bugs Bunny's hoose?🤣🤣

[@derekmulready1523]

A Quote from one off my Gardening heroes Geoff Hamilton. Don't reinvent the wheel. All of what you are attempting has been written down. From Jethro Till to Alun Titchmarch to Monty Don and a host off others But we'll done.at least you're growing something

[@billyhenry3979]

You should just stick a 3 inch nail in the corners of each bit, saves doing time and time again ,🤣🤣

[@simonhinson9367]

Will you be releasing the proper diy t-shirts for sale to the public. Proper diy merchandise there 👍🏻

[@ProperDIY]

Yes all coming soon - I'll let you know

[@pauli6570]

I dig it 😜

[@SamPerry24]

I hope you like Courgette, 5 plants will produce a lot of fruit.

[@Ginwood]

Was thinking the same. My Mum gave me a book years ago called "What Will I Do with All Those Courgettes?" after she saw how many plants I'd put out during my first year having an allotment. 2 or 3 plants max otherwise even your family and friends will be sick of them come the end of the season. Top tip with courgettes: don't let them grow too big otherwise you'll just be hacking them up on to the compost bin as they go all fluffy on the inside. Pick when just a bit longer than your longest finger

[@ProperDIY]

My wife eats them near everyday so I think they will be used

[@martinsylvester1823]

Shame you could not have made raised beds or some edging around, think would make a difference

[@ianpegge9967]

Takes a lot of watering. Generally gone out of favour recently

[@wmckinty]

Apologies, but I did laugh out loud at around 4:36.

[@ProperDIY]

No problem