Charles Dowding’s No Dig Gardening, Course 1: From Weeds to Vegetables Easily and Quickly

by Charles Dowding

An in-depth course for experienced gardeners or those new to no dig gardening This book is for anyone wishing to learn the no dig method from the beginning, or to consolidate what they already it helps readers to see the simplicity of no dig, why it works so well, and how much time they can save. The course has six modules and totals 18 lessons, each one packed with easy-to-understand theory and practical advice. The lessons are beautifully illustrated with fully explained photos from Charles’s no dig gardens. At the end of each lesson there is a multiple-choice quiz to consolidate learning, with answers in the appendix. This book will have a sequel, based on Charles’s second online course.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction

240 pages, Hardcover

Published October 20, 2020

About the author

Charles 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.

Reviews

[Alicia Forrister · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well count me convinced in the power of compost and letting the soil be. His premise is simple: add compost to the top of your garden once a year and don’t disturb the soil. The book covers many of his experiments over decades and the resulting charts are the most convincing part—how many pounds of produce from different types of gardening. He does cover types of compost, how to construct beds and deal with weeds, but I think most of that could be learned through a few YouTube videos. Skip the book unless you want to be convinced by the numbers and you like details. Look into his gardening style though.

[tricia larson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good ideas in the book but the author often contradicts himself. Great to take the parts that will work for you and disregard the things he calls myths then later in the book describes himself doing

[Miles Row · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy to navigate but reasonably in depth gardening book. Quite a lot based on his own experience but good descriptions of where other methods and myths originated.

[Sylvia Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've scanned this book through but it is more day by day guide so cannot really finish it as such, but anyone who wants to know how to garden sustainably, this is a the book to follow - love the whole approach ,the writing and love of this approach, the simplicity and common sense - wonderful wise man.

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hm, I've been looking for inspiration for what to do with my garden since it feels like I'm constantly at war with slugs and oxalis. I quite like the idea of this, although I can also see that there's a slight too-good-to-be-true aspect to it. Like when you hear people talk about veganism or astrology or Bitcoin or communism: they're obviously enthusiastic about it and want you to know of all the benefits you'll get with no cost, and keen to tell you that whatever objections you might have are just because of your old fashioned thinking. There's maybe a bit of handwaving at the science (biology, in this case) without actually explaining how or why it works. So I can see it would be easy to adopt Dowding as a new guru and bore the shit out of everyone I meet by swearing my garden yields enough food to feed Belgium without my having to weed it ever, and has become a home to magical hedgehogs who talk and bake brownies for me whenever I visit, but I don't think I can make it work quite like this. It has given me some ideas though. I think I am going to try the approach in part of the allotment and see how it goes.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charles Dowding started promoting "no dig" gardening well before science explained soil microbiome and the evils of turning the soil over. I generally agree with his methods, although I try to totally avoid non-organic mulches that suffocate the soil organisms that are so vital to a successful garden. As far as the book is concerned, I found the organization to be confusing. On one hand, he provides detailed results of experiments he performed, but doesn't clearly explain how he prepares the beds. Does he plant the seeds and then mulch or plant into the mulch? The book would have benefited from careful editing. Also as a North American resident, much of his details about weeds and timing of garden chores are not relevant for me. He is definitely a garden champion, whose work was finally confirmed by science!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very detailed guide to how to use the no-dig gardening method. If you have already read previous books by Dowding, you might not need to read this one, unless you want to dive deeper into the details. The details here on how to start a bed, how to weed depending on the type and amount of weeds, and also what mulches to use based on climate are all quite valuable. I found there was a bit too much documenting of his various garden experiments towards the end of the book.
The quizzes at the end of the chapters were a nice feature. As this is only module 1 of the course I expect subsequent books will go into more details for growing specific crops and more on starting and transplanting seedlings, and harvesting. None of which are covered in this book.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good book that has lots of detail in to lessen about no dig gardening and to essentially un-learn bad habits that we’ve been taught. The book has given me confidence to just get on with trying it and the main thing that I’ve taken away from it is the simplicity of it! I felt the beginning of the audio book narration started off poor but it very quickly improved, although I did find the book was quiet compared to other audios!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the few gardening books that keeps things simple and doesn't frighten the reader with lots of potential problems.
Easy to read and follow, with lots of photos, although perhaps they could have been a bit bigger. The case for no-dig is made with lots of evidence, now to try and see if I can make it work.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pictures were great, lots of detailed information here if you want to try a no dig garden bed type method. Personally, I was not very interested in all of the trials of this versus that, yields with this set up versus that set up. Just summarize what worked for you, I will take your word for it.

[Jonas De oliveira · Rating 5 out of 5]

For Beginners until experienced gardeners alike, this book is a must have in your library. Charles's language is so easy to follow and his gardening advice is the most genuine and unbiased that you can get! This book essentially teaches you how to garden and take care of you produce nature's way.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I am starting with a blank slate in my yard for a garden, I wanted to get more information about no-dig gardens. I think I have a better idea of what I need to do to start up my garden this year.

[Quarles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction to No Dig gardening. Excellent photos show step by step plantings and trials. I am a novice gardener and found the book along with the video links very helpful. I now consider myself part of the No Dig family with a very successful garden.

[Samantha Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good info, but I felt like it was a little redundant. The main points could’ve been taught in a few paragraphs.

[KDV · Rating 4 out of 5]

♥️♥️♥️Charles♥️♥️♥️

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit dry at times but a must for gardeners.