An easy guide to get you started

This course has all the information you need to create one or more no dig beds, and to start growing your own vegetables.

*Este curso también está disponible en español

The content has been created especially for anybody at an early stage of their growing journey, for ‘beginners’.

What does beginner mean? Perhaps you have never created a bed to grow plants in, or have never gardened in any way at all. Or perhaps you have grown flowers but no vegetables. Or you are a gardener of many years, but with little experience of no dig. This course is suitable for all these categories.

Everything in the course is oriented to my no dig methods, but not exclusively. Much of the information on growing would apply to any gardener, even if they are regularly digging.

There are eight lessons, created with the aim of giving enough information, but not so much that it feels overwhelming. The lessons contain text, photos and instructional videos made exclusively for the course.

* For anyone wishing to further their no dig knowledge after taking the beginners course, we offer the full-length No Dig Gardening course at half price. We also offer 60% off any online course for students in full-time education. Please email Anna, anna@charlesdowding.co.uk.

For information on all our online courses, please see this page.

Course content

Lesson 1: No dig – what is it, and what are the benefits

I explain no dig and its advantages, including its suitability for different soils, and in varied climates.

Lesson 2: Before making a bed – planning

Information on when and where to make a new bed, my recommendations for bed and path dimensions, and the amount and type of compost to use.

Lesson 3: Know your weeds

My descriptions and photos of the most common weeds you may have in your garden or allotment, annual and perennial, and I explain methods to deal with them.

Lesson 4: Making a bed

The steps involved in making a new no dig bed according to the existing quantity of weeds. I include information on starting with ground that is very overgrown.

Lesson 5:  Starting to grow – sowing seeds

I describe how to sow seeds and raise your own plants, and include information on suitable potting mixes to use.

Lesson 6:  Starting to grow – planting plants

When and how to put plants in the ground, including my recommendations for spacing, given in a comprehensive and downloadable Spacing Guide.

Lesson 7: Taking care of plants – weeding, watering and harvesting

Information on the basic principles of watering and weeding, plus when and how to harvest, including a downloadable Harvesting Timeline.

Lesson 8: Taking care of plants – pests and diseases, and where to find more information

Advice on ways to manage both pests and disease. Lastly, I give information on where you can learn more, about both no dig, and growing your own vegetables.