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How to make a no-dig garden

A vegetable garden with fences made from tree branches and a winding path

Overview

A no-dig garden is a great way to grow a vegie patch. It removes the need for backbreaking ground work and it can be constructed over grass, existing beds, concrete or paving. A no-dig garden involves layering various organic materials – woodchips, straw, grass clippings, dried leaves, aged manure and compost – into an existing bed or raised garden bed. As the materials break down, they transform into a nutrient-rich mix for your plants to grow.

A person spreading straw mulch on a garden using a garden fork

 

Steps

  1. 1

    Prepare your chosen location

    Choose a spot that receives at least six hours of sunlight and level, if required. If constructing over existing lawn or dirt patch, line the base of your bed with a thick layer of cardboard or newspaper and wet down.

  2. 2

    Lay foundation of woodchips

    Spread a 10cm layer of wood chips over the newspaper and top with a handful of blood and bone. Water well.

  3. 3

    Add grass clippings

    Spread a 10cm thick layer of grass clippings or green waste over the wood chips. Wet down.

  4. 4

    Layer mulch and organic fertiliser

    Add 10cm layer of straw and sprinkle blood and bone over the top. Water well.

  5. 5

    Place manure over the layers

    Spread a 5–10cm layer of bagged manure over the top.

  6. 6

    Continue the layering process, this time with green waste

    Add 10cm layer of green waste and sprinkle blood and bone over the top. Water well.

  7. 7

    Now include compost

    Spread a 5–10cm layer of compost over the top.
  8. 8

    Repeat steps 3 to 7 until near full

    Repeat with layers of straw, compost, clippings, and manure until the bed is near full. Finish with a generous layer of compost.
  9. 9

    Plant seedlings

    Dig a hole in the compost, fill with compost, plant seedling, backfill and water in well. Mulch around the seedlings with pea straw.

    As time passes, the layers will break down and the height of the bed will drop. Simply top up by alternating layers of straw, compost and manure to keep the garden growing for seasons to come.

    Close-up of a someone watering plants in a raised bed using a watering can

     
  10. 10

    Want a temporary gardening option instead?

    If you’re not completely set on having a vegie patch, test out your green thumb with our D.I.Y. portable garden bed.

     

    Photo Credit: Getty Images

     

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Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.