The Benefits of Having a No-Till Garden
The concept of a no-till garden is not new, but is still not widely known or practiced. It was introduced in the fifties by Ruth Stout, a lady well into her years, who wanted nothing more than to be able to maintain her own garden. For people who like to garden and even those who don't, a no-till garden is the best and easiest way to provide nutrient-dense food for yourself and your family. In today's world, where virtually all agricultural soils have been stripped of all things vital to health and longevity, it has become especially important to learn to work sustainably with nature. It is so easy. Can it be true? Does a tree thrive in the forest? Why, yes, it does.
A no-till garden is achieved by mulching. That is it. This ONE thing, alone, will not only build your garden's soil, but it will do it with very little effort on your end. In the fall, when my garden is done, I rake the yard and put all the leaves in my 600 sq. ft. garden. For five or so years I have done this and to date my garden soil has become something to admire and envy. The soil is light and fluffy, never compact. It is teeming with the all-important microbial life that is essential for living soil and healthy plants. There is no tilling because the worms do it for me. There is less watering because the ground is plump with organic matter, which acts like a sponge, holding water and releasing it when needed. There is no need to add fertilizers since I am essentially composting in place. Perhaps best of all, there is no weeding. Hooray! Throw on some mulch and become a ecological gardener! It's so easy!
Anything that breaks down to feed the soil can be used. Leaves and grass clippings are normally free. Straw and hay may cost a bit. However, in my opinion they are still worth it. If one can come across rotted hay, consider it a goldmine! Know the history of whatever you choose to use, of course, making sure it is free of harmful chemical toxins. It takes time to create fantastic soil, but it is so worth it for the eco-conscious gardener. And shouldn't we all be? That said, you don't have to wait to plant a garden. To speed up the process a bit, you can till the first year or two, working the organic matter into the soil. Remember, though, that tilling eventually leads to depleted soil and destroys the soil structure, killing healthy organisms. It's just not natural. The goal is healthy soil and there will be no need to till once the mulching is started and maintained.
Don't wait to start your no-till garden. The old paradigm of gardening is falling away to an idea whose time has come! It is the answer for those who are too busy, lazy, or frail, or for those who desire only the healthiest food for themselves and their family. For many, it is the beginning of a beautiful relationship with nature, functioning in harmony. Put away your tiller, your spade, your hoe. Get ready to partner with nature to create a sustainable space that you will call your garden.
Grow in Peace
Kristen
Kristen Earl is a homeschooling mom of 2 boys. She is building a sustainable farm for her family and the Earth on her little plot of land in Southwest Missouri. She also runs a cloth diaper business from her home. She hopes to soon have a web page so people can purchase reuseable cloth diapers online. You can email her at bepeacefulnow@yahoo.com
*Nature photo by Victoria Dye. For more fantastic photos by Victoria, see our April 12 and May 3 Truffles.
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