Double digging is a gardening technique used to increase soil drainage and aeration. It involves the loosening of two layers of soil, and the addition of organic matter. Double digging is typically done when cultivating soil in a new garden, or when deep topsoil is required. · Double digging is a soil preparation technique that involves removing two layers of soil to improve drainage, aeration, and fertility. Essentially, you dig a trench, remove the top layer of soil, loosen the underlying subsoil, and then replace the top layer with amended soil. · Double-digging is a useful way of cultivating soil in new gardens and where deep top-soil is required. On poor or heavy soils and in vegetable gardens, it may be needed every three to five years. If you remove the sod from the bed completely you are depriving the soil of nutrients. Getting ready to prep your beds for spring planting? Try this soil-friendly alternative to tilling. Double digging is an alternative approach, one that capitalizes on the soil’s inherent ecological processes, while making it loose enough to plant in right away. Simply put, double digging involves removing the top soil layer, exposing the subsoil or hardpan beneath, breaking it up, adding organic matter, and replacing the topsoil that was initially removed. · Understand the traditional double digging method and modern alternatives for preparing soil effectively for planting. Here, we’ll explore how double digging works, its benefits, and when to use it. Perfect for gardeners seeking to enrich their soil, this guide offers step-by-step instructions and essential tips. DoubleDigging Boosts Soil Health in Your Garden. Of all the many ways to till the soil of your garden, the centuries-old process known as doubledigging may yield the best results. Doubledigging is the first step in biointensive gardening for loosening compacted soil and enriching it for optimal plant growth. DoubleDigging to breakup a soil hardpanBare Mtn Farm6.3K views • 8 years agoLivePlaylist ()Mix (50+). Doubledigging involves loosening the soil to a depth of about 12-18 inches, creating a trench that's roughly 12-18 inches wide and 12-18 inches deep. Bed preparation is the number one important thing you can do for you plants. Double-digging is a method of bed preparation that aerates soil to a depth of 24 in (2ft). Doubledigging specifically enables the elements of water, soil, heat and light to work their ancient harmony. It is labor intensive - and that is part of why it works. 'Single digging' means digging the soil to one spade’s depth (one ‘spit’); doubledigging is done to a depth of two spits. The latter was widely practised in private gardens of old, where it was... In-Soil Growing Methods: The DoubleDigging Approach. This method of creating planting beds is similar to raised beds in some ways. Doubledigging means that you dig down once into the soil, and then dig down again – in essence, it refers to digging down two spades in depth. Doubledigging is a great way to de-compact soil quickly and create a fine tilth for planting into, while retaining as much soil structure as possible for the benefit of the soil food web. How to Till Soil by Hand with the DoubleDigging Technique. 1. Start by spreading compost over the soil where you'll be tilling by hand.
