How-To: Create Effortless No-Dig Flower Bed

No-dig gardening plays a key role in preserving the fragile ecosystem of soil microbes. By avoiding the disturbance caused by digging, the beneficial microorganisms in the soil can prosper undisturbed. These microbes are essential for decomposing organic matter, releasing nutrients, and enhancing soil structure. By adopting no-dig gardening practices, you establish a healthy environment that fosters the growth of these microbes, effectively supporting plant development. No-dig gardening methods are known to reduce the amount of weeds in the garden as digging is known to bring weed seeds to the surface, promoting weed growth.

Step 1: Selecting the Perfect Spot

Pick a sunny location for your flower bed. Most flowers thrive in sunlight, so choose an area that receives at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. Once you've found the ideal spot, clear any weeds, grass or debris to create a clean canvas for your garden masterpiece. You don't have to do this too much as you can see in the next step.

Step 2: Prepare the Soil

Embracing no-dig gardening means cooperating with nature rather than working against it. Instead of using a shovel, concentrate on enhancing the soil with nutrient-rich compost. To prepare your planting area, follow these steps:

1. Lay down 2 - 3 layers of cardboard to suppress and eliminate weeds and grass.

2. Place sticks or twigs on top of the cardboard layer.

3. Add a layer of compost, soil, and manure for additional nutrients.

4. Repeat the process by layering compost, soil, and manure to enrich the soil further.

During the first six months, the no-dig garden will reduce in height by approximately half as it decomposes. Therefore, to achieve a 30cm high vegetable bed, construct a 50-60cm no-dig garden.

Step 3: Planting Your Flowers

Although it's advisable to wait for the soil to settle, you can actually plant into your newly prepared bed right away. Choose your flowers and ensure you have the required soil height for the type of plant you are planting. Dig small holes in the soil, add your plants, and gently pat the soil around them. Water thoroughly to help settle the plants into their new home.

Step 4: Mulch and Maintain

To keep your flower bed looking its best, apply a layer of mulch around your plants. Mulch helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and insulate the soil, creating a conducive environment for your flowers to grow. Mulch can come in the form of tree bark, straw or even compost. Remember to water your plants regularly and remove any dead blooms to encourage new growth.

Top-dress your beds with a 3-5cm layer of compost and/or organic matter in either late autumn or early spring. For most flowering plants, you will need to feed them in the beginning of the growing season with slow-release feeds (or fertilisers) which usually come in pelleted form. In the growing season, it is generally recommended to water with water-soluble fast-release fertiliser once every 2-4 weeks. Of course, this advice depends on the nutrient requirement of each plant and their growing conditions.