Double Dug In-Ground Beds
Double digging a garden bed is a tried and true permaculture technique.
Plots are dug or gently tiled to break ground, and native soil is mounded in a bed. A few organic soil amendments can then be easily made, and your doubled dug garden bed is ready for planting.
This technique of creating growing space is a favorite of ours because it allows for plants to go into the ground and start their journey to your dinner table nearly instantly.
Many extremely productive and successful market garden operations use double digging and permanent (non-framed) raised beds as their primary growing space. Row middles can be mulched with straw to create beautiful contrast, as well as creating an environment for earth worms and beneficial organisms to thrive. This in turn will nourish your soil, and healthy, living soil is what grows strong, pest resistant plants. Mulched row middles also create perfect foot paths for the client to stroll around the garden on without compacting the soil.
While operating M & M Market Garden in Richmond, VA, we implemented this technique very successfully. Soil disturbance is only necessary to initially break ground. Once the bed is formed, soil friendly hand tools can be used to periodically aerate the soil. This disturbs weeds taking root as well as provides oxygen to the living, breathing microbes in your soil.
