The No-Dig garden consists of a selected area of ground, grass or even concrete, edged with wood, bricks, logs or anything that is approximately 300mm.(1ft.) in height to make a bed. The bed is then covered with at least 6mm.(1/4in.) thick newspapers. This is covered with lucerne hay and organic manure followed by 250mm.(10in.) of straw spread all over. More manure is added and a layer of rich compost into which your choice of flowers, herbs or vegetables are planted. This method is very good for growing vegetables, especially potatoes, because potatoes are grown under the straw and can be mounded-up with straw and checked periodically without digging.

The other method we are concerned with, is the Paper-Mulch garden. When using this method of gardening, the trees, shrubs or bushes are planted first, (with their watering tubes) and the bed is edged with logs etc. The ground is covered with a minimum 6mm.(1/4in.) thickness of newspapers, and or cardboard, then covered with 125mm.(5in.) of leafmulch. Old twigs and branches maybe thrown on top. The plant guards are then fitted and left until the plants are bigger. Mowed grass or straw can also be used as a mulch covering. After the initial setting-up of the Paper- Mulch Garden, very little, if any, maintenance is required. Just sit back and enjoy!