Getting down and dirty does the trick
Farmer Charles Dowding
If you’re after a bumper crop of veg with minimum effort, Somerset farmer Charles Dowding (right) has a trick or two up his sleeve.
And he’s going to share his secrets of the soil at a Luton event next month.
The former Cambridge geography graduate, who’s written four books on vegetable growing, has a simple philosophy: “I spread an inch or two of home-made or bought-in compost or well-rotted animal manure on undug beds every autumn.
“Worms love to feed on this and aerate the soil as they feed and breed.
“I garden on clay and grow amazing veg in the undisturbed soil.
“There are less slugs, less weeds and less watering needed in dry weather. And I’ve had good growth in the really wet weather this year.”
For the past six years Charles has run an experiment with four beds – two dug and two undug.
The latter have given slightly higher yields for much less spade work and he’s inviting keen gardeners to come and learn how it’s done.
Charles will be discussing his methods at Stockwood Discovery Centre on Tuesday, November 13, at 2pm.
Tickets for No Dig Vegetable Growing cost £4 each and booking is essential. Call 01582 548600 for tickets or email www.charlesdowding.co.uk
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Weather for Luton
Friday 24 May 2013
Today
Heavy rain
Temperature: 3 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 33 mph
Wind direction: North west
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