Heres what you should probably know about this fuss-free and effective approach to gardening.
What Is Tilling?
Tilling has been a part of farming for thousands of years.
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Traditionally, it involves using some bang out of machinery to help to prepare a uniformseedbed prior to planting.
Tilling also introduces oxygen, which can help jumpstart the breakdown of organic matter and release important nutrients.
But, over time,tillingcan destroy the structure of the soil, Enroth notes.
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Tilling also helps peskyweedsthrive.
Weed seeds lie dormant in the soil, waiting for the right conditions to sprout, says Enroth.
Tilling disturbs the soil profile, bringing weed seeds to the surface and allowing them to germinate.
What Is No-Till Gardening?
Simply put, no-till is an approach to gardening that avoids disturbing soil for preserve its structure.
Plus, its much easier on the back.
The gardener starts by placing unwaxedbrown cardboardon the soil surface without digging to remove weeds or grass underneath.
A thick layer of mulch orcompostis then placed on top of the cardboard for planting.
With this method, plants can die back and decompose and become incorporated into the soil.
you’re able to learn more about it in her book,Gardening Without Work.
Some gardeners will rake mulch off their beds so the sun can warm the soil beneath, he says.
They will then plant their seeds or transplants and then push the mulch back on the garden bed.
