Don’t dig it
- Healthy soil holds huge amounts of carbon but digging or ploughing releases some of this into the air as greenhouse gas emissions. “No dig” gardening prevents this and also ensures that soil has a greater drainage capacity, which helps to prevent soil erosion (which washes nutrients into our local watercourses). It means that nutrients are locked in, moisture loss is reduced and makes for less weeds!
- Also, green manures and cover crops can be grown to keep the carbon below the surface and ensure that soil is not left bare (something that is very rarely seen in nature). Another way to support our precious soils is to plant species that are beneficial to soil health.