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Organic Gardening: The natural no-dig way
In this book, Charles Dowding shares the wealth of his experience, explaining his approach to soil and plants and revealing the range of techniques that have enabled him to grow healthy and vibrant crops for decades. His success is based on a key principle of “no dig”—not digging. This enhances soil structure and encourages healthy growth, especially when soil life is encouraged and multiplied through the addition of good compost and manure. Based on this approach and his use of a system of permanent, slightly raised beds, Dowding shows, in this book, how to grow a delicious variety of fruit and vegetables: what to choose; when to sow, plant, and harvest; and how best to avoid pests and diseases.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published September 17, 2007
About the author
Charles Dowding
25 books1,662 followersCharles Dowding has been pioneering organic, no dig gardening since 1982, when he began growing vegetables on a 6,000m² plot in Somerset, UK. From the beginning, his no dig methods delivered healthy, abundant crops, with fewer weeds and no need for synthetic inputs. At the time, nobody else was growing commercially at this scale without digging, and Charles has been refining the approach ever since.
Today, he shares the simplicity and power of no dig gardening with a global audience, through his books, courses, YouTube videos, social media, and regular travels to connect with growers around the world.
Charles published his first book, Organic Gardening, in 2007, and has since written 14 more. His most recent titles include New Energies for Gardening (April 2025) and Compost (September 2024). He also produces an annual Calendar of Sowing Dates, packed with practical tips based on his trials and growing experience.
From his 1,600m² Homeacres market garden in Somerset, Charles continues to experiment with crops and methods – comparing dig and no dig plots, testing new varieties, and refining techniques. The garden yields around £35,000 of produce annually and serves as a living example of how low-input, soil-first methods can lead to healthy plants and sustainable harvests.
Charles is passionate about helping others find joy and success in growing food, and believes that no dig is not just a method, but a mindset.
Today, he shares the simplicity and power of no dig gardening with a global audience, through his books, courses, YouTube videos, social media, and regular travels to connect with growers around the world.
Charles published his first book, Organic Gardening, in 2007, and has since written 14 more. His most recent titles include New Energies for Gardening (April 2025) and Compost (September 2024). He also produces an annual Calendar of Sowing Dates, packed with practical tips based on his trials and growing experience.
From his 1,600m² Homeacres market garden in Somerset, Charles continues to experiment with crops and methods – comparing dig and no dig plots, testing new varieties, and refining techniques. The garden yields around £35,000 of produce annually and serves as a living example of how low-input, soil-first methods can lead to healthy plants and sustainable harvests.
Charles is passionate about helping others find joy and success in growing food, and believes that no dig is not just a method, but a mindset.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
April 17, 2016
Great book very informative, lots of good ideas and practises, why ever dig again!
June 11, 2021
Aiandada tahaks, aga tahaks ühtlasi, et see kõik ei oleks kole suur vaev ja rügamine? See raamat räägibki, kuidas saaks maitsvalt, vähema rügamisega (no päris ilma siiski ei saa) ja ka esteetilises mõttes väga ilusasti oma peenrast või kastist toidu kätte.
Üks kasulikumaid köögivilja kasvatamise raamatuid, mida olen lugenud, sest ta on lihtne, praktiline ja jätab mulje, et kõik on enamasti tehtav, aga vahel ebaõnnestub ka proffidel. Pmst suurte ja sõbralike tähtedega kirjutatud. Ja kui tahta rohkem süveneda, siis Charles Dowdingi youtube’i videod on tõeline kullaauk - ühest küljest praktiline info, aga teisest küljest on ta oma aiaga nii sümpaatne, et vaatad ja päev saab kohe parem. Raamat on aktiivses kasutuses ja lugemise lõppkuupäeva ilmselt ei tule.
Üks kasulikumaid köögivilja kasvatamise raamatuid, mida olen lugenud, sest ta on lihtne, praktiline ja jätab mulje, et kõik on enamasti tehtav, aga vahel ebaõnnestub ka proffidel. Pmst suurte ja sõbralike tähtedega kirjutatud. Ja kui tahta rohkem süveneda, siis Charles Dowdingi youtube’i videod on tõeline kullaauk - ühest küljest praktiline info, aga teisest küljest on ta oma aiaga nii sümpaatne, et vaatad ja päev saab kohe parem. Raamat on aktiivses kasutuses ja lugemise lõppkuupäeva ilmselt ei tule.
June 6, 2021
I'm very inspired by what I've read in this book so far. I'm hoping to use this no-dig method of cultivating the land the Lord has blessed me with. I do feel I'm a caretaker for a little piece of God's land. One half acre - the only land I've ever owned and I bought it when I was 67 years old... so time for some gardening fun.
I read the first half of this book with great interest. This supplied all the basic information to get started in gardening the no-dig way. I decided to wait on reading further in the book because right now I'm not able to grow anything. The property I bought in January 2020 was burned in a forest fire in September 2020. My mobile home was destroyed, as was everything else there, but some plants have made it known that they're not finished yet. Other plants and trees are done for.
I'm looking forward to redeveloping the property in the months and years to come.
Anyhow, part two of the book concerns the needs of certain types of plants, like summer salad veggies and winter salad veggies and herbs, and other groupings of plants - and I'm just not ready for that this year, mainly because right now there's no water on my property! After water pipes are restored I will be able to put these ideas into practice, and that would be a better time for reading the second half of the book.
I read the first half of this book with great interest. This supplied all the basic information to get started in gardening the no-dig way. I decided to wait on reading further in the book because right now I'm not able to grow anything. The property I bought in January 2020 was burned in a forest fire in September 2020. My mobile home was destroyed, as was everything else there, but some plants have made it known that they're not finished yet. Other plants and trees are done for.
I'm looking forward to redeveloping the property in the months and years to come.
Anyhow, part two of the book concerns the needs of certain types of plants, like summer salad veggies and winter salad veggies and herbs, and other groupings of plants - and I'm just not ready for that this year, mainly because right now there's no water on my property! After water pipes are restored I will be able to put these ideas into practice, and that would be a better time for reading the second half of the book.
September 15, 2020
Loved this book! Packed absolutely full of useful, practical information. I've finished reading the whole thing and already picked it up a few times to reference specific topics. Going to add this one to my permanent library and rotation!
August 11, 2021
I love his uncomplicated and efficient approach to organic gardening, and there’s much general wisdom to be gleaned here. Many of the particulars he shares from his Somerset garden simply don’t apply to my own in Wyoming, but it’s still a useful primer and resource.
September 3, 2019
There is a whole lot of information in this book and the layout isn't necessarily the easiest to navigate.
However, Dowding's no-dig method seems simple and logical.
I feel I must defend him against the aspersions of "astrology and superstition" levied against him in a few other reviews.
There is brief reference to biodynamic methods of farming which include, most well-known, planting according to the phases of the moon. Given the light difference between a moonlit night and one with no moon, and the importance of light to plant growth, this doesn't seem to be a hugely difficult concept to wrap one's head around. At any rate there is nothing about the zodiac/horoscopes or astrology involved.
However, Dowding's no-dig method seems simple and logical.
I feel I must defend him against the aspersions of "astrology and superstition" levied against him in a few other reviews.
There is brief reference to biodynamic methods of farming which include, most well-known, planting according to the phases of the moon. Given the light difference between a moonlit night and one with no moon, and the importance of light to plant growth, this doesn't seem to be a hugely difficult concept to wrap one's head around. At any rate there is nothing about the zodiac/horoscopes or astrology involved.
July 2, 2017
I won this book on a goodread giveaway .This book is packed full of ideas on tips for growing just about any vegetable . An ideal reference book for a beginner like me and many tips for the more experienced too.
January 14, 2022
Reading Charles Dowding's book, "Organic Gardening - The Natural No Dig Way" in winter makes me long for spring.
For many years, Dowding has been advocating a 'not dig' gardening method in books, online courses, and social media videos. His book is divided into two sections, "Letting Nature Nurture Your Garden" and "Healthy Harvests." Both are full of practical advice to help the new and veteran gardeners alike, and it also helps us understand his unique approach to gardening.
"No Dig" gardening is a low-maintenance approach in which you don't disturb the soil with any kind of digging tools. Because you are only minimally disturbing the soil, microbes, worms and other soil inhabitants enrich the soil. As a result, you need less fertilizer, and according to Dowding, your garden will have fewer weeds.
For many years, Dowding has been advocating a 'not dig' gardening method in books, online courses, and social media videos. His book is divided into two sections, "Letting Nature Nurture Your Garden" and "Healthy Harvests." Both are full of practical advice to help the new and veteran gardeners alike, and it also helps us understand his unique approach to gardening.
"No Dig" gardening is a low-maintenance approach in which you don't disturb the soil with any kind of digging tools. Because you are only minimally disturbing the soil, microbes, worms and other soil inhabitants enrich the soil. As a result, you need less fertilizer, and according to Dowding, your garden will have fewer weeds.
March 1, 2022
Excellent for British Growers
Charles Dowding is clearly an expert in what he does, and provides here a wealth of information. I found the first section of the book to be helpful and instructive, though not perhaps better than what his many YouTube videos provide. Unfortunately, I live in America and most of the rest of the book was of limited help to me. He breaks down each vegetable and all the nuances of growing it, but it’s very specific to his climate & location. I enjoyed the book, but it’s perhaps better suited to someone living with more similar growing circumstances.
Charles Dowding is clearly an expert in what he does, and provides here a wealth of information. I found the first section of the book to be helpful and instructive, though not perhaps better than what his many YouTube videos provide. Unfortunately, I live in America and most of the rest of the book was of limited help to me. He breaks down each vegetable and all the nuances of growing it, but it’s very specific to his climate & location. I enjoyed the book, but it’s perhaps better suited to someone living with more similar growing circumstances.
August 24, 2017
The book has very clear instructions for growing the non-dig way but does not cocentrate for too long on this so is useful also for any vegetable growing. The information is clear and well set out making it easy to follow and encourages the reader to try different varieties.
The clear photographs are helpful to see how the growth should be or is not progressing. Unusually for gardening books, I have read about vegetables I have not considered growing before.
I received this book free from the Goodreads website but it has in no way influenced my opinion of it.
The clear photographs are helpful to see how the growth should be or is not progressing. Unusually for gardening books, I have read about vegetables I have not considered growing before.
I received this book free from the Goodreads website but it has in no way influenced my opinion of it.
May 23, 2019
This book is great! Yes, there's a weird chapter on astrology and its place in gardening but I can totally overlook that - it's really just a couple pages of woo woo in what is basically a solid book on organic gardening. The author has a nice YouTube channel, too.
July 24, 2019
Good tips for organic gardening, however most of the book was a list of plants and how to grow and harvest them in England, less useful for a lad in Minnesota, USA. Overall I enjoyed it but probably wouldn't reference it again.
July 14, 2021
A wealth of valuable information on not only the no-dig method but on the specifications (spacing, sowing, pests, harvest, etc) of vegetables, fruits and herbs. Charles' books and Youtube channel have changed how I garden for the better and is a priceless resource.
October 23, 2017
Not enough depth on each topic to be useful
December 29, 2018
Good, solid information. A No Dig how-to for the beginning or experienced gardener. Lots of detailed information. This is a UK book, so planting time-tables, etc are for Britain.
March 15, 2020
Was looking forward to this read and I was extremely disappointed.
June 18, 2020
I find this book indispensable for the ‘no-dig’ vegetable grower. Read, then pick up and refer to it again and again.
Truly amazing for organic growers everywhere!
Truly amazing for organic growers everywhere!
February 24, 2022
I loved reading this.
November 21, 2022
Its like a bible for me.
May 6, 2023
Great book for gardening
June 29, 2023
Not suited to every climate (well at least not mine) but a very good reference full of photos and simple to understand info.
July 18, 2023
Not as helpful as I had hoped for my purposes.
October 20, 2024
Better the video on Youtube.
October 25, 2025
This was 90% about dealing with slugs, but it’s not his fault that I live in Montana, not Britain.
July 5, 2011
Worth reading for the no dig technique, although this actually takes up a very small amount of the book as it is really quite straightforward. In fact it's covered on Charles' website pretty much. But there is more detail and background as to why and how no dig method works with direct comparisons to dug beds.
He also talks about the right time for sowing to avoid common problems like disease and pests which is a bit more indepth. And there's even a chapter on sowing using moon cycles which he is neither prescriptive or dismissive of.
I've given 4 stars rather than 5 because I would have liked a little more on no dig method including an indication of how long the mulch and cardboard method might take to kill lawn it's placed on. Also what would be handy is some instruction on making basic raised beds using your own timber and perhaps a look at the usefulness of commercially available raised beds.
Also it's well written and easy to read sitting down reading chapter by chapter at the beginning and then skipping to chapters on each veg group. But as a reference to dip into quickly about one issue or another it's more difficult to quickly pick out the information required. For instance I knew he talks about the right time to plant brassicas and mentioned this to someone but when I dipped into the brassicas section found I was having to skim read pages to try and find the info (which I never did). So perhaps it lacks some clarity in organising the information.
But it's been worth it to learn about how I can have my vegetable patch and not dig, ever (once roots are removed from a plot). Great news for someone with back and health problems - though I will need help to spread compost and/or manure each year but this is much easier than back breaking plot digging.
He also talks about the right time for sowing to avoid common problems like disease and pests which is a bit more indepth. And there's even a chapter on sowing using moon cycles which he is neither prescriptive or dismissive of.
I've given 4 stars rather than 5 because I would have liked a little more on no dig method including an indication of how long the mulch and cardboard method might take to kill lawn it's placed on. Also what would be handy is some instruction on making basic raised beds using your own timber and perhaps a look at the usefulness of commercially available raised beds.
Also it's well written and easy to read sitting down reading chapter by chapter at the beginning and then skipping to chapters on each veg group. But as a reference to dip into quickly about one issue or another it's more difficult to quickly pick out the information required. For instance I knew he talks about the right time to plant brassicas and mentioned this to someone but when I dipped into the brassicas section found I was having to skim read pages to try and find the info (which I never did). So perhaps it lacks some clarity in organising the information.
But it's been worth it to learn about how I can have my vegetable patch and not dig, ever (once roots are removed from a plot). Great news for someone with back and health problems - though I will need help to spread compost and/or manure each year but this is much easier than back breaking plot digging.
June 15, 2023
I definitely need to purchase this one for future reference.
As I was reading I realized all the things I did “wrong” this year. And when I say wrong, I simply mean I made the work harder and didn’t give myself the best start I could’ve (filled my beds with weedy topsoil, started seeds and plants late in the season, didn’t finish my compost properly). But, I’m so glad I reread this and it will be so helpful as I continue to grow and learn in my gardening journey.
As I was reading I realized all the things I did “wrong” this year. And when I say wrong, I simply mean I made the work harder and didn’t give myself the best start I could’ve (filled my beds with weedy topsoil, started seeds and plants late in the season, didn’t finish my compost properly). But, I’m so glad I reread this and it will be so helpful as I continue to grow and learn in my gardening journey.
Currently Reading
May 25, 2011Hi gardening nerds,
This book is very interesting unlike many other gardening books I have read (I have never read any gardening books before). It is about gardening and how to plant and look after your plants while you try planting them. Good read for new
This book is very interesting unlike many other gardening books I have read (I have never read any gardening books before). It is about gardening and how to plant and look after your plants while you try planting them. Good read for new
March 7, 2012
Lots of detailed information for specific plants. Targeted directly at British gardeners, it didn't help as much as I'd hoped. Boy, they really have to deal with slugs a lot! The section on planting based on the moon's cycle was quite interesting.
August 11, 2016
Not a good manual, guide, or authoritative source. Not a good text for American USDA zones. One can find better more detailed no till info at ones local university extension network. Also, this text is rather limited on photos. Im glad I got it from the library instead of buying
May 19, 2010
Great information.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews