No Dig in High Summer, Charles takes you around Homeacres' old and new beds

[@patjoyce7247]

I'm in my first year with an allotment at the age of 67. I took it on recovering from multiple heart bypass and diabetes. I looked to youtube for ideas and found a few, but I've learned a lot from you. I want to thank you Charles because although you are now internationally renowned you remain so grounded (pardon the pun) and share your experience freely! Please keep doing so. Thank you very much. I'm using your calendar too, so I must have contributed at least 20 pence in return! Seriously, thank you Charles for being a gentleman.

[@eb1684]

With your unhurried allotment your heart will recover and the diabetes will go away. Good luck!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thankyou Pat, it's my pleasure, happy growing

[@johnarchluleta]

I couldn't believe it. I commented on how he's so informative and even calming and he commented back. Such a nice man. Made my day.

[@eb1684]

@@johnarchluleta Jawn, Yes! He occasionally comments back to me in South Carolina. His videos are very calming and relaxing while informative at the same time.

[@frankburns8871]

67...congrats on (hopefully) retirement. I'm about ten years younger, but could probably get by retiring now on my savings...except no health coverage until 65. (In the US, you can take early Social Security at around 62, but aren't eligible for the Medicare--that you've also paid into--until 65) So, a few more years at the grind for me, but I do look forward to it. Battling slugs and cabbage worms, etc., is so much better than dealing with office politics and corporation horsesh*t. (No offense to horse manure, a garden godsend)

[@nickhammersonrocks]

THANKS FOR EVERYTHING SIR CHARLES DOWDING !!!!!!

[@glynisreynolds446]

Wish you were on BBC2 every Friday 👍 We gardeners would all learn so much more, so thank goodness for KZbin 👍👍

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

So nice of you Glynis

[@kerriefaichney4901]

Once again Charles great to see what you are doing......you are one busy man!

[@carolwilliams2356]

You have the best gardening videos. Full of usable information.

[@ValeriaVincentSancisi]

Lovely developments on the new area..

[@peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920]

Hi Charles 👋 Greetings from Windermere, Florida zone 9b 🇺🇸 90°F high and 80%-95% humidity Hard to Garden after early mornings. But I'm still keeping up with it an hour a day. And, Wow, I now have 428 subscribers to my channel. 🤗 I remember when you hit 400K. You predicted that you would get to 500K by September. I think you just might hit it. I'm so happy for you and so pleased that your message is getting spread around the world. Keep up the great work 🌿💚🌿

[@BigMikeLoses]

Wonderful. HUGE round of applause for your cameraperson and editor. These videos are stunning. Peace and love from Utah.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

My son Edward will be heartened to read this, thanks

[@richardaoun5124]

I absolutely love your videos. You sir Charles………. Legend

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you kindly!

[@lucyb15]

So much to anticipate! You are changing the world and making a huge contribution to how humans should think about the living soil upon which we depend. I thank you again.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@tightlines106]

The anticipation is strong young Jedi

[@later_daze_4080]

Home Acres is where growing food and aesthetics collide in beauty. Amazing tour!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😀

[@BARBSCOUNTRYHOME999]

Charles you are simply an Amazing Gardener! 🌱

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Still have my doubts!

[@BARBSCOUNTRYHOME999]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig It's a fact my friend.. I struggle with my garden especially the squash bugs. 😩

[@kowalstwodagniau3553]

Filmik się bardzo podobał, wiele ciekawych spostrzeżeń. Dziękuję za możliwość tłumaczenia na język polski. Polska pozdrawia 😊❤️

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Our pleasure

[@drjeffpierce]

Excellent work, Charles. Your keen advice influences us over here in Northern California. Thank you.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad to help Jeff

[@CIB8282]

I liked the shot of the bees on the onion flowers, great camera work.

[@sandrafuentes3449]

Gracias por el video saludos señor dowding ❤️

[@maryegerton6848]

Every time I watch one of your videos, I’m astounded by how beautiful it is. Yours is goals! Gardening is a crazy beautiful addiction, and I just want to keep planting stuff. I have an acre, and I am constantly looking at it and wondering what I can plant next. I guess when I run out of space I will just have to garden up the driveway. 😁. Have a great Sunday and thanks for the inspiration. ☮️💕

[@berthaperez8010]

hello charles what a wonder of huerta congratulations each video i learn a lot thanks for sharing i send you greetings

[@irenesmith5676]

Loved every minute of your tour thank you

[@ShahsGardenRecipes]

Amazing wonderful garden nice vegetables 👌

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks for visiting 💚

[@Florestinhadamontanha]

Thanks for giving us this wonderful video.

[@virginiagraham2196]

I learn so much from you. Thank you, thank you for what you do. I am grateful.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😀

[@aileen848]

Wonderful vegetables and lovely video!!😍

[@margarett3768]

You are a super gardener 👏🙂

[@alwayslearning7672]

I love how you make it all sounds so doable and achievable for beginner growers,very encouraging.Thank you Charles.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes, it certainly is doable and achievable!

[@sdraven9954]

What a relief this video is from all the silliness in the world right now. Thank you!

[@ksquish16]

I like that you deliver information without plugging products and brands that no one cares about. All we care about is learning from you how to grow food and raise healthy soil. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, your knowledge has transformed my life.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you, that means a lot, you don't need load of products/tools!

[@luistello1971]

Charles, thank you brother for sharing. There is a lot to learn.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks for watching Luis, and that is true!

[@nancytsindoli2527]

Hi Charles, you inspire and encourage so much. Am humbled to know so much from you. At your age you are a gem to our young generation who care to bent down and work. Long life we still need to draw from the treasure of your passion in farming. Always looking forward for a new tour on the farm with you.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That's lovely, thanks Nancy.

[@alisonburgess345]

What a dream garden Charles! Gee you've done a great job with your place. Thanks for the tour. I've saved my best five Creamgold onions to plant out this year for seed. Only them though, not two other varieties as well, like I did before - although the crossed onions I got were really funny. You could see the Creamgold colour with a flattened shape and other characteristics - but too succulent for storing. Your advice and tips over the years have been gold. I'm sure there are no dig gardens all over the world now - and all their owners loving them.. 🍆🥒🥬🥦🌽🥕

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks so much 💚 good luck with onion seed

[@amandar7719]

Thank you (and Edward) for taking the time to update us all with a tour of your market garden. The pond and shed build will be fascinating to watch, if it’s not too much trouble. 😃

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Our pleasure!

[@wadebradley9281]

Truly the most fascinating thing about what you do is the bed comparison studies. As a former full till gardner, I'm questioning the need to even fork beds now. Truly amazing no dig results.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cheers Wade and great you are into checking new ways

[@Unknowlogy]

30 seconds into the video and I already love the man. What a genuine and happy person.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You made my day 😀

[@steveipswich]

Looking great thanks for sharing

[@thenodiggardener]

Lovely tour! What a shame we've gone from record breaking Summer temps, back to 'Is it winter again already?' temps, though. My poor garden doesn't know if it's coming, or going lol

[@verawallace9055]

Poor Garden lol

[@IVMRGREENXX]

cup of coffee and and a new video from Mr. Dowding. Happy Sunday!

[@robertling9872]

Thank you Charles for again a beautiful video. I'm very happy with the NoDig garden method. It provides every day fresh healthy plants and healthy food on the table.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@susancaudill9109]

So fabulous. Always inspiring, informative and appreciated. Greetings from Oregon.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Susan

[@DaniDIY]

Another fab video filled with lots of helpful information 🙂

[@OurSmallholdingAdventure]

Who could give these videos a thumbs down! They are so inspiring, thank you for sharing. I have just received you’re book on growing for winter. I should have bought it earlier in the year but better late than never. It’s also inspiring! Keep the videos coming, love them! Tracy, north east England 💚

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cheers Tracy, and a good move!

[@openmind5973]

It was the spider mites.

[@pixieklay3468]

Good morning from Australia... :) As crops are finishing in my garden I'm converting the beds into No Dig and the difference is quite remarkable... It only took me 30 years of gardening to figure this out. Better late than never.... Love, love, love your videos.... cheers, from The Land Down Under. :) :) :)

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wonderful! 😀

[@eb1684]

Charles; that is the most beautiful asparagus fern I have ever seen!

[@lyndaturner6686]

It’s great to watch the development in the new area, also it’s good when you show some things that didn’t go quite so well , helps us understand what problems we may be able to avoid

[@OurSmallholdingAdventure]

I was just saying this to my husband 👍

[@mcatronw]

I am so inspired whenever I watch your videos. I moved 1000 miles into a new house at the end of spring and laid cardboard and garden soil on all of the very weedy beds around the house. I’ve only been able to plant a few, but even the unplanted ones have not a single weed!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

A nice start!

[@prairiecreekponds]

Excited to see the pond 😁 thank you for sharing. You are an inspiration

[@stevendowden2579]

crops looks great

[@carolinesemple2298]

Always looks like an immaculate patchwork quilt of garden. Just picture perfect.

[@Faith-vl4lv]

Every time I see your gardens I imagine myself walking through them. One day I hope to have such an array of beautiful and healthy plants

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

How nice Robby, I hope so too

[@Glenjabamin]

Wonderful video Charlie, it’s great to see you incorporating Wool. The Johnson-su bioreactor is so innovative. You’ve given us something new to research and try thank you

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wonderful!

[@plantsoverpills1643]

In our garden of 2021, before it got started much of it was done. Too much rain and too little sunshine, there’ll be a lot less this year, on which to dine. One day hot, the next day cold, many plants gave up and decided to fold. In pursuit of food as a form of quarry, one form did well and that was the berry. Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and currants, as those grew, there were very few deterrents. But man cannot thrive on fruit alone, so it’s back to the drawing board for veggies to be resown. When expectations are high and return is low, rejuvenate your enthusiasm with the Charles Dowding show! Thanks for the tour, tips and tricks, they’re without exception, worth a multitude of clicks!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Amazing poetry. I am sorry that you cannot live on fruit! Nor can I. I hope your carrots and potatoes thrive next year.

[@plantsoverpills1643]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig lol….it would be easier if I could live on poetry!!!!🤣

[@VotumAudiovisual]

Woow. Very beatifull and more, and more plants. This land is a dream!!! Your job is an example for the world and my inspiration. From argentina! Sorry for my english.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks 😀 and your English is way better than my Spanish

[@chrispedersen6999]

Amazing video. Thanks so much for sharing Charles. You may like to try fish fertilizer misted on the leaves to deter bugs. It is foliar feeding as well. I also interplant with flowering herbs to confuse bugs. Pineapple sage, lavenders, rosemary, all make a pretty garden. Nasturtium plants, the poor man's caper are a great trap crop away from the vegetables. These I have under the feijoas and when done I roll them into bundles around the roots to feed the tree.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sounds great Chris!

[@adelineparinduri]

You always have the neatest garden, Charles. A feast to the eyes. Thanks for sharing.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you kindly

[@andrewreid8220]

Just back from Iona and I stumbled upon an organic garden at the back of the Argyll Hotel, got talking to the gardener (also no dig). I told her I was doing my garden and had been looking at your videos, She said you used to work there years back as a waiter! Small world

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That is awesome! Nice they remember me :) lovely place

[@kevindice1092]

I’m watching Charles whilst canning beans on a lovely Indiana Sunday afternoon, when what do I see? A Johnson-Su bioreactor in sunny Somerset?! My KZbin world are colliding, Jerry! ❤️😂😱

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😀

[@jennyjohnson9012]

You're such an inspiration. After every video I'm off to the allotment or garden to start more veg and flowers. Thankyou Charles.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You are so welcome Jenny!

[@therevelation19]

It´s always inspiering to see the progress on Homeacres. Choosing no dig was the best I could do concerning gardening. Even if the Bindweed is making me crazy...

[@mcatronw]

Have you tried the cardboard method? That helped me so much.

[@sunangel-rivka]

I put cardboard and landscape cloth down tight for 18 months (!) in an area badly infested with bindweed. I thought that surely would be long enough to eradicate it... wrong. As soon as I pulled that up, removed the yellow stems and added water, the bindweed carried on as though nothing had happened. Darn stuff, worst weed in the garden by far.

[@therevelation19]

@@mcatronw , yes I did but when the cardboard is rotten, the weed comes back as nothing ever happened. Even with 20cm compost on top....

[@micheals1992]

@@sunangel-rivka chances are they was weakened but you need to keep them smothered before they can regain energy from the sun. The grass in my garden seems pretty tough. After using cardboard I keep removing new growth with a trowel and it seems to be slowing down regrowing now. Hopefully you can sort your bindweed!

[@randyketcham3840]

So much activity going on with the new land next door. I appreciate you showing your progress with the new land and the old garden where you are producing quite a bit. I also am learning from your different experiments in planting, intercropping and with the high tunnels. I like the cucumber idea of stringing them straight up like tomatoes to save space and have a cleaner more efficient use of your garden. Thanks Mr. Charles.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cheers Randy 💚

[@karenkmk4035]

Wow..the new area has amazing growth for a new garden….love it..👍

[@olyganize]

The best way to drop the cucumber vines down on the ground literally that what I do in my greenhouse. It’s more manageable this way.

[@willemijnmaas6369]

All tomatoes on our complex have been destroyed by blight this year. I’m glad to see it’s not the case at HomeAcres.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Oh dear, how upsetting. You had bad weather in Holland, from what I hear

[@Lauradicus]

Seeing a video from you first thing in the morning is always so nice. Your new space is so impressive. Can’t wait to see the progress on the pond, I’m glad there were no hang ups with the planning office.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks so much Laura! 😊

[@bryonyhellis]

Wonderful to see how things are doing! Looking forward to the addition of the pond. That Bindweed sure is resilient!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Can't wait!

[@neverwise]

Your new area is looking fabulous!

[@kevinrogers326]

Interesting and lovely to see such healthy plants. The weakness with the no dig method to me is the masses of compost you have to buy in to cover the surface needed to make it work (at least at the start). This makes the method quite expensive.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

It's not obligatory to use a large amount of compost at the beginning. For me, the end justifies the means and the return on investment is huge over many years, in terms of time saved and harvests increased. Long-term, you need less compost for no dg, as shown by the results from my trials.

[@kevinrogers326]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig I doubt it would work anywhere as well without large input of compost at start. Your trials are not very convincing to me (I am a scientist). Lover many of your methods thou - multi sowing and organic approach I find really interesting. You are innovative which is inspirational.

[@FoodForestPermaculture]

Fantastic Charles ! You are the best . I have learned so much I thank you kindly . Much love and mad respect your fellow earthling Howie Jones

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Much appreciated Howie 😀

[@anapaulacrawford5837]

Beautiful it is!! Thank you for what you do! God bless!

[@janeabeth1]

Lots more going on with your new land which is very exciting. I am actually contemplating moving house for more land so I can produce more as at the moment I’m fairly restricted. Thanks mainly to you and some other No Dig KZbinrs, I have found my passion 🤗

[@rachelhmua]

Always love watching your beautiful garden updates.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Rachel

[@Michael_McMillan]

Your tours are always so great! Wonderful videos!

[@Oksanka-Oksanka]

Спасибо за ваш опыт, вы вдохновляете!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@Oksanka-Oksanka]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig ☺🌈🌻

[@jermaineoneal123]

Thanks for the tour, Charles! Looks amazing.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cheers Jack

[@itsmewende]

Always a pleasure walking your garden with you, so much new info every since time. I hope all the new gardeners out there have found you or been sent in your direction, I always refer them to my gardening guru. Thanks again for all you share.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

So nice of you Wende

[@farmerjones5479]

Thank you Charles 😊.

[@BrianAndrews73]

Lovely seeing the new area going along.

[@thomaslayeillon97]

Merci encore pour tout 👍🏻

[@glennbrennan7999]

Charles is living my dream😅 I’ll get there one day

[@juliadolce3798]

Great vido thank you for sharing been reading your books for a couple of weeks now love them all

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Julia 💚

[@MakesPaintings]

Thank you Charles, I love it!

[@ninamost5669]

Thanks so much for sharing and inspiring! I started sewing a variety of vegetables from end of January up to beginning of March. My broccoli and cauliflowers were victims of aphids, the fruits disappeared as quickly as they showed up! But I had a decent harvest of garlics, onions and potatoes. My tomatoes are getting there and overall I’m happy with the results. All of it thanks to your directions on KZbin. Thank you so much for your encouragement by making it look easy and worthy of effort… From Oregon 💚🌿

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice to hear Nina, hope your broccoli goes better next spring! 🥦

[@joanies6778]

I had to break down my compost bin made from pallets. It was an escape route for the neighbor assassin cats who come to prey on my pest control crew (birds). So, to replace it, I ordered a Geobin, which I learned about on another YT channel that is all about composting. I like it! Very sturdy and expandable. Maybe now I can get some compost made, finally! My mesh cover is doing great, too. I did find an infestation, but something may have gotten in there before I covered them, or I need to secure them better.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😀

[@scottwhite4645]

As a UT alum I was quite surprised to see the J&S bio-reactor. Your present compost program appears to be quite stable, providing Home Acres with plenty of rich and rejuvenating black gold. Your garden tours always inspire and reassure people, using a practical, uncomplicated approach towards gardening can yield fantastic results. Cheers !

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice to hear Scott, thanks. I am intrigued by the bioreactor :)

[@chelseamcmullen3493]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Johnson-Su is actually from New Mexico State University!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

@@chelseamcmullen3493 Well I never and thankyou Chelsea

[@scottwhite4645]

Have you added to worms to your reactor yet? Alas, Chelsea is correct regarding the provenance of the bio-reactor.

[@norinenagle6730]

Thanks for your clear information and tips. It is always a pleasure to see your videos.

[@biggersmilesinasia8402]

Looks great as always Charles. Bet your bees are loving it!!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes, thanks they are breeding nicely

[@momcation9786]

Thank you Charles for sharing your very beautiful garden! You’re a blessing to many and a great teacher! I learned a lot from you today like not watering the leaves of the tomato plant. My very tiny no dig garden is doing well with eggplants coming up. Thank you so much for the inspiration! Stay safe and healthy!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Lovely to hear and thanks

[@rwwkv6]

love the tours, a beautiful world you have there

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😀

[@pedromurteira2544]

Been a bit since i last came looking for one of your videos, and again and always i just feel warm at the sight of such a beautiful garden and amazed by the simple pleasent and intelligent way by wich you explain what is happening and how it got there, with the fantastic little hints on the way, laid in a way so logic that stays with you... Once again congratulations for your project and thank you for sharing and teaching!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Welcome back Pedro and thanks for your comment, I'm happy you see the sense of it

[@clivesconundrumgarden]

Thank you for sharing. You videos have inspired us in so many ways. We have a small garden and we're having many successes and failures but enjoying it thoroughly. We've even attempted our first compost pile this year !! It's sitting at a temp of 160F.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You can do it clearly, 160F is top!

[@ScottRawdin]

Beautiful as always, thank you.

[@scarletarty3072]

It is always inspiring and uplifting to watch your reels. Thank You ❤️

[@nomyazianabukassim1659]

Love this..thanks for sharing ❤️

[@kit2130]

Very interesting & congratulations on acquiring another acre! Regarding bindweed, I’m sorry to hear you have that in the UK, too. I’m in the US & it’s really a problem in my gardens & even greenhouse. The root system is very stubborn & resilient. Maybe you can update us on how successful the coverings were of wool, plastic & cardboard. It might work if left on for a long period of time. Thank you for sharing your wealth of veggie knowledge with us :)

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Fingers crossed!

[@ramida4277]

Thanks for very beautiful garden, great to see almost green and colorful friend.Just start and much tried currently on my side :)

[@sarahhughes9914]

Thank you Charles as always loads of inspiration 👏🏻🌹🌱🌷

[@lynnrushton7458]

Looking fantastic!! 👌💜

[@Ngao8264]

I only can say is garden very nice and green☺ i love all trees

[@bhalliwell2191]

So glad to hear you say "tipi." A wigwam is a much different structure. And tipi's, as dwellings, are quite possibly *the* most wind-stable structures anywhere. Indigenous American populations on the Great Plains don't (didn't) make their tipi's perfectly symmetrical cones: the poles to the windward side/s are a bit longer and the "front" (where the door is) poles are a bit shorter and stand closer to true vertical than do the back ones; this allows the prevailing winds to slide up the longer slope of the tipi's back which has the effect of stabilizing the shorter "front" poles and making them more wind-resistant. We're putting in a second crop of early maturing beans ---today, in fact--- and we're going to try that slight off-set on the tipi's because the storm winds here can be very damaging.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Fantastic information, thanks, it's the attention to small details.

[@bhalliwell2191]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Actually, I may have had that backward, and it's the shorter, steeper angle which is toward the prevailing winds. But whatever, it's having the longer poles pressing on the "shorter" ones which makes the structure stable. My apologies for the misinformation. But even without fine-tuning, that conical shape will give your climbing beans a better chance of remaining erect during a good blow. All the best to you, and many thanks for all the inspiration!

[@frankburns8871]

Great stuff, as usual. I just clicked on this because it's mid-January and needed a little escape (was -4 F/-20 C last night, and a big snow and ice storm coming tonight). Looking forward to summer for sure. As for no-dig: My soil is insanely rocky, to the point where any (exceedingly difficult) digging yields roughly 4 parts rock to 1 part soil, maybe worse. The no-dig approach seems like a great workaround for that problem, but I'll have to dig once more this spring, then just layer on some extra compost/mulch at the end of the growing season, and begin repeating year after year. Not digging in this ornery ground sounds heavenly. Stay tuned, and I'll update in five years 😁(hello, 2027)

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😅 love this and good luck with the storm, may your garden prosper

[@jayt9181]

Superb garden it looks amazing. I'm currently tackling bind weed myself. I think it's really affected my carrots this year. I will Put more cardboard and compost down in the autumn and keep root veg away from that part until it's clear. Thanks again for all your vlogs.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Jay, just so you know, bindweed does not grow from autumn until spring so cardboard at that time will not discourage it. Yes I would wait for a year before sowing carrots there.

[@aysegayret1188]

If you freeze your bollotti beans before they dry, cooking easy and test super.