Winter garden with Charles Dowding, see the results of seven years no dig

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  • čas přidán 28. 08. 2024
  • I show you first the simplicity of my approach, spreading organic matter on the surface, that's it!
    All beds have undisturbed soil, simply mulched/covered once a year with compost to about 2.5cm/1in depth.
    We see the current (8 month old) compost heap, which we are spreading on any soil which has not been mulched since last winter.
    I show and explain compost on the flower borders which is from the outdoor toilet, 18 months old on average.
    Zone 8 and temperate oceanic, lowest temperature this winter 2019-20 was -5C/23F, warmer than usual. Last frost mid May, first frost late October, summer temperatures by day 21C/70F so in many ways this is a zone 6 climate.
    VEGETABLES
    Plantings of salads, spinach and broad beans in the Three Strip trial area
    Broccoli for spring and for now, and cauliflower
    Spring onions and cabbage for spring
    Brussels sprouts, celeriac, leeks.
    Few weeds.
    Filmed and edited by Edward Dowding my son, 29th December 2019 edowdingfilms....
    When you make a purchase of products I recommend, please use this link to my page on Crocus tidd.ly/44dEU7d, I earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support.
    Follow me on IG @charles_dowding, TikTok @charles_dowding, Pinterest @charlesdowding, FB @charlesdowdingnodig.
    I sell online courses in both no dig charlesdowding...
    and growing vegetables charlesdowding...
    For a Homeacres soil analysis comparing dig and no dig, see docs.google.co...
    In my webshop are books and a Sowing Wall Calendar for sale charlesdowding...
    My book How to Grow Winter Vegetables is available on Amazon.
    To join my channel as a member, use this link / @charlesdowding1nodig
    As a member, you can watch a new video each month, which is exclusively for members. Your payments support my promotion and teaching of better, easier gardening. I can offer bursaries for day courses and online courses, through individuals in charge of community gardens/allotments and school gardens. Contact us through my website to enquire about bursaries charlesdowding...
    All of my channel’s other CZcams content will continue as now.
    #nodig #growyourownfood #growyourownveggies #healthyfood #marketgarden

Komentáře • 1,1K

  • @famousgrouse1966
    @famousgrouse1966 Před 4 lety +227

    Apart from the fantastic garden and sound advice, Charles comes across as an absolute gent and clearly loves his profession. Every video seems to contain new information. Should be a tv series.

    • @CharlesDowding1nodig
      @CharlesDowding1nodig  Před 4 lety +55

      Thanks v much and this is a kind of tv channel now :)

    • @cpnotill9264
      @cpnotill9264 Před 4 lety +17

      @@CharlesDowding1nodig Better than tv! Well done Sir! 🌱👍😁

    • @cpnotill9264
      @cpnotill9264 Před 4 lety +1

      @earthly firefly5 ?

    • @cpnotill9264
      @cpnotill9264 Před 4 lety

      @earthly firefly5 got it 👍

    • @byrefilms
      @byrefilms Před 4 lety +3

      It is time that broadcasters embraced new ideas about gardening, agriculture and market gardening rather than perpetuating Victorian and industrial ideas!

  • @mandymoo1200
    @mandymoo1200 Před 4 lety +4

    Slow is best, and instead of the usual fast, rapid videos, this channel takes you slowly around so we can absorb the information. This is so much better than BBC’s Gardeners World which I find flits around on a shallow basis from subject to location; better than Gardener’s Question Time on R4 which is more a compilation of sound bites. I feel as if my hand is being held and guided in the art of veg growing and organic composting. I absolutely love the intro with birdsong.

  • @tnstef2629
    @tnstef2629 Před 4 lety +33

    Love your modesty Charles. “Don’t often talk about this, but I made human compost.” Love it.

    • @CityWideGardens
      @CityWideGardens Před 4 lety +1

      I thought you could not use human waste as compost?? Gotta look that up.... wow!

    • @elvadelacruz9406
      @elvadelacruz9406 Před 3 lety +1

      So it is compost that is human? Or human that is compost

  • @MrBrianDuga
    @MrBrianDuga Před 4 lety +6

    Your climate blows my mind given you're further north (I'm in Massachusetts). What a blessing to have so much survive over the winter!

    • @TheNapalmFTW
      @TheNapalmFTW Před 4 lety +1

      Britain is blessed by the jet stream. I used to live in Manchester, England at 53 degrees north and the growing season where I live now, Indiana, is so short. We are at the same latitude as the south of France

  • @4KidsandaFarm
    @4KidsandaFarm Před 4 lety +94

    Your garden is fantastic! This is our goal for our farm! So clean and green!

    • @donnariggs1567
      @donnariggs1567 Před 4 lety +4

      the 4 kids will help, that is what I lack, no help and no one is willing to work sad :(

    • @svetlanikolova7673
      @svetlanikolova7673 Před 4 lety +1

      @@donnariggs1567 With this easy method?

    • @donnariggs1567
      @donnariggs1567 Před 4 lety

      @@svetlanikolova7673 come on over if you got some extra time charles doesn't do it all by himself he has help as I took the time to ask him...

    • @svetlanikolova7673
      @svetlanikolova7673 Před 4 lety

      @@donnariggs1567 Sorry, i am in the Balkans 5000 miles away.

    • @donnariggs1567
      @donnariggs1567 Před 4 lety

      @@svetlanikolova7673 that's ok I have a guest house I'll barter!!

  • @donnariggs1567
    @donnariggs1567 Před 4 lety +10

    It must be tough to get all this love from around the world for doing what you love to do! That is the KEY to life and success! and TASTY TOO!

  • @SayHelloToOblivion
    @SayHelloToOblivion Před 4 lety +1

    The most relaxing channel on CZcams. I love these garden tours. They are both uplifting and educational. I have yet to successfully grow leeks. I will try to sow them in containers and transplant (direct sow did not work for me). Also, I appreciate all the ways you deal with the birds and bunnies and other little critters. Humane and organic. What a lovely garden you have. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

  • @jhelnan8057
    @jhelnan8057 Před 4 lety +2

    Could listen all day and learn from this easy speaking, highly knowledgeable organic gardener. He's the teacher we all wish we had encountered in high school and college! Thanks, Charles!

  • @gwynprice7396
    @gwynprice7396 Před 4 lety +65

    Best channel on youtube!!
    You are living my dream life Charles.... I'm aspiring to achieve what you have.
    Thankyou for the great videos, respect from Victoria Canada

  • @biolounge7329
    @biolounge7329 Před 4 lety +36

    I have so much respect for you.
    I'm 28 myself and I want to make a transition in my job from a gatekeeper, to a small local farmer.
    Keep going ! You are one of my teachers I keep watching to get my own dream going !

    • @CharlesDowding1nodig
      @CharlesDowding1nodig  Před 4 lety +10

      Nice to hear and I wish you well.
      28 was about my favourite age in terms of feeling so energetic!

    • @donnariggs1567
      @donnariggs1567 Před 4 lety

      what is a gate keeper??? wished you lived closer would love a garden partner to share the work and bounty!!

    • @aenorist2431
      @aenorist2431 Před 4 lety +2

      @@donnariggs1567 Probably portier / 'security' / night watch kinda job. Sits in a gatehouse, watches cctv and checks people coming in?

    • @Andrew-eo2cw
      @Andrew-eo2cw Před 4 lety +8

      I'm 29 and on a similar journey. Been a chef for the last 8 years. I grow my own veg and have chickens, starting an agriculture course this year in Scotland.
      Best of luck for the future

    • @biolounge7329
      @biolounge7329 Před 4 lety +2

      @@donnariggs1567 a gatekeeper is somebody who is checking if people are allowed to entry an area. I work mostly for factorys.

  • @pizzaguy3645
    @pizzaguy3645 Před 4 lety +2

    Slow cooked Rabbit backs, yum. Yes they are cute and fuzzy, but they are also very tasty. A few years ago I lost three young apple trees to rabbits. I recovered some of my loss by harvesting them and cooking them in the crock pot. Not for everyone I know, but It gave me some satisfaction. A .177 pump pellet gun works great.

  • @robertevans8024
    @robertevans8024 Před 3 lety

    Theses videos are what keeps me going to get through the cold, dreary winter months in Philadelphia PA.

    • @CharlesDowding1nodig
      @CharlesDowding1nodig  Před 3 lety +1

      Thanks Robert and we have some nice ones coming over the winter

    • @robertevans8024
      @robertevans8024 Před 3 lety

      @@CharlesDowding1nodig I look forward to every one of them. I love your greenhouse with the brick foundation. Would love to see more of the inside. And I'm so interested in, and crazy about, compost, I feel like going back to school for a degree in something dealing with soil fertility. But I'm already 55 and having issues with pain from injuries, after being rear ended in 2016. 🤷‍♂️ Anyway, I really feel honored to receive your replies. It means so much to me at this time in my life. You are a great person and so nice. Your videos, voice and personality are food for the soul. So relaxing. 🕊️🙏💖💯

  • @kathleenambrose877
    @kathleenambrose877 Před 4 lety +9

    I laughed a little when I saw your volunteer tomatoes in the compost. We get hundreds of them every year in the garden. Thankfully they pull out easily. Beautiful garden even in winter!

    • @pinksalt1057
      @pinksalt1057 Před 4 lety

      @earthly firefly5 what exactly does this mean?

    • @pinksalt1057
      @pinksalt1057 Před 4 lety

      Kathleen why not use for replanting ?

    • @kathleenambrose877
      @kathleenambrose877 Před 4 lety +1

      @@pinksalt1057 We would literally have an entire yard full of tomatoes if we did that. We have allowed a few of them to remain in the garden every year but they are not always true to the parent and sometimes you get a lot of plant, but few tomatoes or really nice tomatoes that all crack before they get ripe or sometimes you get lucky. We have a limited amount of space, so we stick with the tomatoes we know will produce well for us... but I always appreciate their determination to grow!

  • @herenow2895
    @herenow2895 Před 4 lety +3

    The Rabbits eat well down your way.
    What great looking soil to start with.
    Thanks for another informative video Charles.

    • @Stettafire
      @Stettafire Před 3 lety +1

      I have heard that if you find a plot of land that is horribly overgrown (as Homeacres was before Mr. Dowding got involved) then the soil below is generally really good. No idea how true it is, just something I've heard. I guess it's kinda because the land has been let to go "fallow"?

  • @robcrebs4663
    @robcrebs4663 Před 4 lety

    My grandfather put "rabbit wire" around his entire garden, about 3.5 feet high! Along with it he electrified it to keep out the deer! He always had a most beautiful and plentiful garden! He planted enough for him and his daughters! We had fresh, canned veggies all winter! Your garden is beautifully fantastic!

  • @nancylynn7614
    @nancylynn7614 Před 4 lety +1

    Very interesting. Your wife must make a real canning centre in the basement. Such a variety of vegetables. Thank you for sharing.

  • @ginger_wby
    @ginger_wby Před 4 lety +21

    Great update! I got do excited when I saw a 25minute winter update 🌱

  • @seedaholicgardens9085
    @seedaholicgardens9085 Před 4 lety +8

    I am so inspired by your approach as it even works for me a disabled gardener, ty!

  • @EmpressKadesh
    @EmpressKadesh Před 4 lety +1

    I had a hard time finding winter brussels sprouts in any photos or videos or any kind of instructions and it is my first time growing them so I left mine alone entirely just to see what they do. I appreciate the video.

  • @holyword6348
    @holyword6348 Před 4 lety +1

    Hi Charles. It is true your approach to gardening is calming. Was bringing both parents in and out of hospital the past week, and this was a welcome calm in between. Always love seeing your compost videos and was interested to see how much you put on each subsequent year after you get a good base down. Also liked seeing the various types of soil and compost. Great work!

  • @lilpipskweek6448
    @lilpipskweek6448 Před 4 lety +31

    My grandmother was a farm hand in the 40’s. They routinely used human compost from middens i.e.earth closets. It was the norm then for muck men to distribute this valuable resource. So much more sustainable than sewage treatment today

  • @Love-tl2gh
    @Love-tl2gh Před 4 lety +19

    Love it Charles, it's about time we all talked about using human compost in our gardens. The best way to improve our micro biome is by becoming part of the growing cycle.👍👍

    • @michaeldavidson2073
      @michaeldavidson2073 Před 2 lety

      When I was a lad we used to go down to the sewage farm to pick tomatoes. Best ever.

  • @kaylabryson1932
    @kaylabryson1932 Před 4 lety +1

    Another huge snow storm coming through our city and temps at night down to zero ❄️🌨❄️🌨. Everything is already covered almost completely in snow. ❄️. Needed a good therapy video to help with spring fever 🤒 . Thank you🌱

  • @davefieldhouse5119
    @davefieldhouse5119 Před 3 lety +1

    Always enjoy your videos Charles thank you

  • @justmare111
    @justmare111 Před 4 lety +13

    Even in winter, it's just such an impressive garden! Love it.

  • @thadgiannetti790
    @thadgiannetti790 Před 4 lety +19

    Wow, your garden is just as handsome in the winter as in the full flush of summer. Really enjoyed this video, so much inspiration and knowledge here!

  • @camerakid76
    @camerakid76 Před 4 lety +1

    The Bob Ross of gardening. A true treasure you are. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I do like the drop in clips from past/future of the beds or a crop to give an idea what it looks or looked like, or to show the progression of the seedlings/plants for reference. Kudos to the editor.

    • @CharlesDowding1nodig
      @CharlesDowding1nodig  Před 4 lety +1

      Thank you kindly and the editor is my son Edward, whose passion is filmmaking

  • @justynjonn
    @justynjonn Před 4 lety +1

    I'm always in awe of the British Winter, always green though the skies may be grey. Not much snow and ice.

  • @NopeAndYep
    @NopeAndYep Před 4 lety +91

    "Looks like a poo actually..." was the first thing my wife heard when she walked in the room. "What are you watching?" We had a good laugh!
    The rabbits in my yard seem to poo at the base of my trees. Good job little bunnies

    • @CharlesDowding1nodig
      @CharlesDowding1nodig  Před 4 lety +16

      Nothing like gardening!

    • @tiffinyharrington9307
      @tiffinyharrington9307 Před 4 lety +7

      That line gave me a laugh too!

    • @wes9451
      @wes9451 Před 4 lety

      Mine just eat my little trees...

    • @mikaeladonges9102
      @mikaeladonges9102 Před 4 lety

      looked like. big old poorly dug cat poo hole haha. my cat sees my garden beds as great big kitty litters..

    • @oliverpierre22
      @oliverpierre22 Před 4 lety

      Would love to know how to stop my cat using my veg patch as a litter tray. Any tips?

  • @terriesmith8219
    @terriesmith8219 Před 4 lety +10

    Love you and your fantastic garden, Charles!!
    You're living the dream!!

  • @anthony-me1wu
    @anthony-me1wu Před 4 lety +1

    I love how he is baked !!

  • @mr.zafner8295
    @mr.zafner8295 Před 3 lety

    Thank you very much for including the titles with the particular plant names. Very helpful. You do a wonderful job with these films.

  • @yellowdogmaher2542
    @yellowdogmaher2542 Před 4 lety +3

    Hello Charles, Another great vid.I truly wish i was your neighbor .

  • @traiecto
    @traiecto Před 4 lety +8

    As usual, a great inspiration. Kicking me out of winter lethargy and onto my seed bank and books and planning! Thanks for sharing

  • @Lauralamontanaro
    @Lauralamontanaro Před 4 lety +1

    Is it just me, or could you just listen to Charles talk all day long! He is so encouraging!!

  • @MAuroraCharvat
    @MAuroraCharvat Před 4 lety

    Mr. Dowding , you are such a tidy gardener.

  • @nicoleduncan6944
    @nicoleduncan6944 Před 4 lety +4

    Thank you for the wonderful winter video, Charles! Very informative and inspiring!

  • @carolparrish194
    @carolparrish194 Před 4 lety +3

    I love your garden. I think the netting will do the job keeping off the rabbits. I have a terrible problem with rabbits. The baby rabbits squeeze through the small holes in the fencing and eat all the young bean sprouts and sweet potato tops when they are young. I finally used netting and it worked but it was a little to late. I find that gardening is a learning process.Every year is different. I wonder what this year will bring.

  • @duujo
    @duujo Před 4 lety

    Simply shooting from a tripod makes such a big difference in production quality, compared with the hand-held selfie-style videos others do. The production value and Charles' soothing manner makes these videos a pleasure to watch!

  • @shiriyata13
    @shiriyata13 Před 4 lety

    You present information so beautifully that the soul rejoices.
    Your land plot is like a fairy tale to me.
    I will teach from your videos not only the proper care of cultures, but also the language.
    Спасибо, за ваши видео.

    • @CharlesDowding1nodig
      @CharlesDowding1nodig  Před 4 lety +1

      Как приятно читать это, спасибо и я желаю вам успехов как в садоводстве, так и в обучении 😀

  • @jeffjeffreym1830
    @jeffjeffreym1830 Před 4 lety +44

    When I was a youngster I used to enjoy double digging. However, the no dig method seems sensible and is clearly productive. And my old back isn't quite what it once was...

  • @cassgruberman6425
    @cassgruberman6425 Před 4 lety +4

    Big fan of your work. It is particularly well complemented by your son Edward's video and editing skills - I can immediately tell when he's done it

    • @CharlesDowding1nodig
      @CharlesDowding1nodig  Před 4 lety +1

      Cool that is interesting and encouraging :)
      I let him know. He is at home with filming and editing.

  • @americanhottopics7373
    @americanhottopics7373 Před 3 lety +1

    Wonderful information and winter garden ! Thank you for sharing!!

  • @DreidMusicalX
    @DreidMusicalX Před 2 lety

    I hope one day I can get all the knowledge this guy has. I love his garden.

  • @mattsli89
    @mattsli89 Před 4 lety +3

    Wow!! I fell in love with the style you live!
    I'm so impressed by all your videos. Watching them one by one and I can't stop!
    Will definitely use many of your patterns im my woodchips garden - for sure mulitisowing - seems to be greatest idea to sow in halfcomposted woodchips.
    Greetings from Poland!

  • @user-vf4nq9si3v
    @user-vf4nq9si3v Před 4 lety +8

    Very good! Hi from Russia. We use compost too)

    • @CharlesDowding1nodig
      @CharlesDowding1nodig  Před 4 lety +6

      Cool I love these distant connections and knowing that so many of us world wide are working like this, thanks 😀
      Plus you write English!!

    • @user-vf4nq9si3v
      @user-vf4nq9si3v Před 4 lety +2

      @@CharlesDowding1nodig Thank you :)

  • @annegranger6667
    @annegranger6667 Před 4 lety +2

    Thank you Charles, for sharing your wonderful garden and knowlege. Like many other gardners in cold climates, I fill the "hungry gap" watching videos on You Tube, reading gardening books and browsing through seed catalogs. When I spend time in my garden, it becomes as much about providing an escape from stress and the crazy world we live in, as it is about growing healthy and wholesome food for my family. Your wonderful presetations and walks through Home Acres are filling this need as well. Well done and greetings from the state of Kansas!

  • @mayfieldmanor5344
    @mayfieldmanor5344 Před 4 lety +1

    Love your garden and your videos. You are the King of Compost!

  • @shakengrain1942
    @shakengrain1942 Před 4 lety +5

    I had almost figured out that UK "Broad beans" = USA "Fava beans". Thank you for confirming!
    Regarding human waste, many articles say drugs/pharmaceuticals pass with it now. I would not want to eat food grown with it.

    • @CharlesDowding1nodig
      @CharlesDowding1nodig  Před 4 lety +3

      Fair point, it's frightening how many pills are ingested

    • @christelchristely2816
      @christelchristely2816 Před 4 lety +2

      Pharmaceuticals are organic compounds, the microorganisms in the soil make short work of breaking them down. They cause problems at the sweage treatment because of the short time allotted for the microorganisms to work on them, and that waterorganisms are wrong for that work.

    • @CharlesDowding1nodig
      @CharlesDowding1nodig  Před 4 lety

      @@christelchristely2816 Thanks for the information Christel

    • @pinksalt1057
      @pinksalt1057 Před 4 lety

      Shakin, all your veggies from the store and nuts imported from other countries are most likely using human waste to compost.

    • @shakengrain1942
      @shakengrain1942 Před 4 lety +1

      @@pinksalt1057 Could be. Garden, garden, garden.

  • @CoreyBornmann56
    @CoreyBornmann56 Před 4 lety +3

    Hey Charles, I've been battling rabbits eating our lettuce for years and wondered how you dealt with them. Thanks for talking about that! Greets from central Pennsylvania USA (zone 6A) possibly the rabbit capital of the world...

  • @leoclarke6462
    @leoclarke6462 Před 4 lety

    Your videos really are like a gold mine - thank you Charles

  • @WMHhomestead
    @WMHhomestead Před 4 lety +1

    So beautiful! We started no dog 2 years ago and it really does get better every year!

    • @ximono
      @ximono Před 4 lety

      No-dog gardening, that's a new one 😃 I don't think I'd be able do that..

    • @cynthiafisher9907
      @cynthiafisher9907 Před 4 lety

      With My Hands Homestead No dog. Sounds great to me!

  • @sc3pt1c4L
    @sc3pt1c4L Před 4 lety +22

    If I had his garden, rabbit stew would be on my menu frequently.

  • @loerkue
    @loerkue Před 4 lety +3

    Excited!! Thank you!

  • @zenden6584
    @zenden6584 Před 4 lety +1

    I’m new to gardening and I’ve watched so many gardening videos on CZcams and this one is definitely one of the best 🙌🏻.I just could listen to Charles all day , he voice is so so relaxing 😌 it makes it easy to absorb all the information he has 💚

  • @nellanddudley
    @nellanddudley Před 3 lety +1

    I'm so thankful for your videos. Just purchased your books and plan to spend the frigid months here in Maryland studying and planning. I own a 40 acre farm with plenty of room to grow a no dig garden. All the best!

  • @scobydoo3145
    @scobydoo3145 Před 4 lety +3

    Respect from Argentina!

  • @giovannifiorentino8947
    @giovannifiorentino8947 Před 4 lety +5

    Greatly appreciate the titles for species.

  • @jeannettestuckelschwaiger5071

    Mr Downing is quite a gentleman. Greetings from France. We do enjoy your vids very much.

  • @jamesrichey
    @jamesrichey Před 4 lety +1

    Nice to see your garden in winter. It helps to compare your garden to what's going on in mine at the same time. Thanks!

  • @nathanguest9723
    @nathanguest9723 Před 4 lety +4

    The rock dust is really good stuff, i hope you see good results to.

  • @andrewmoon1898
    @andrewmoon1898 Před 4 lety +5

    I did my first year of no dig in 2019, and although I still had weeds, I had a lot less, 95% less. And they are much easier to pull out, just like seedlings. A hated job has become just spending time in the plot.
    The potato harvest was almost primal, or child like, digging through the soil with my hands. And I gad a good crop, considering the wetness of the ground.
    But I did have one problem...I had quite a few that were green. This year I am putting more compost on top, but is there a stage I missed pre harvest to protect the ones closest to the surface? Do I need to add another mulch layer a few weeks before harvest?
    So glad I found this Chanel before starting the plot under my name, as my dads older methods are far more mauling on this clay soil. I have just had to be creative on my compost raw supplies. 👍🤣🤣🤣

    • @CharlesDowding1nodig
      @CharlesDowding1nodig  Před 4 lety +3

      Well done Andrew and thanks for feedback. Creative is excellent.
      Yes for 2nd earlies and maincrop, best watch under the leaves and when you see any white potatoes appearing in light, drop compost over and onto them.

    • @GreenJimll
      @GreenJimll Před 4 lety +1

      I put lawn mower clippings on top of our no-dig potatoes. Its something my Dad did back in the 1970s when I was kid on his (double dug!) potato rows. Turns out spuds are one of the few plants that don't seem to mind the raw nitrogen hit of fresh grass clippings - indeed they grow great guns through it.

    • @andrewmoon1898
      @andrewmoon1898 Před 4 lety

      Jon Knight will give this a go. Thank you.

  • @pamnapier-uhl1362
    @pamnapier-uhl1362 Před 4 lety

    It is so peaceful in your garden. We are purchasing another home and moving in the next 4-6 weeks. This has changed my thinking on a garden area to be created there. No dig is certainly the way for any bed. True and tested! But your veggie space is so tidy, efficient and lovely. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and your garden!

  • @johnkay4701
    @johnkay4701 Před 4 lety +1

    Hi Charles. I appreciate your video of your winter vegetables very much, as this time of the year gardening can be rather downbeat due to cold, damp, & the short overcast days. Thank you.
    About 8-years ago I read a book titled Humanure by Jenkins, that inspired me to make my own compost toilet; the contents of which is then tipped into a series of normal darlek type compost bins and mixed with normal kitchen waste, garden greens & leaves etc. I leave to mature for longer than you (3-years +), it makes excellent compost for veggies (home consumed).
    I've just assembled a greenhouse & would appreciate your making a video based upon your practices & experiences with growing fruit 'n' veg within a greenhouse. Mine is nowhere near as large as yours, but at 8ft x 16ft & stuck right in the centre of my back lawn, it should produce some lovely produce & extend the growing season quite a bit & protect from the bunnies & birds.
    Regards from JohnnyK in cold 'n' damp Colchester.

    • @CharlesDowding1nodig
      @CharlesDowding1nodig  Před 4 lety +1

      Nice comment Johnny and yes it's a great book.
      Your greenhouse is big for domestic!
      No promises but shall have a think.

    • @johnkay4701
      @johnkay4701 Před 4 lety +1

      @@CharlesDowding1nodig Given the modest size of my back garden the new greenhouse looks almost ridiculously oversized, there isn't much lawn left around it. Now can you guess? The ground inside of the greenhouse is covered in cardboard & newspapers, together with a 2ft wide area outside around the base; I blame you entirely Charles. My neighbours think I'm quite barmy! Hopefully they'll change their tune if / when they see the wonderful produce by the autumn & in future years.
      Just a note to anyone thinking of purchasing an XLvida greenhouse: they may be cheap but they are very poorly designed with inadequate assembly instructions. I'm an ex-mechanical engineer & even I had difficulty erecting the thing. Had to purchase x100 additional spring clips to retain the polycarbonate panels & even that wasn't sufficient to prevent them being repeatedly blown-out by strong winds. So now in the process of screwing them in physically with x200 self-tappers. I'll be out there this afternoon finishing it off. Moral of the story: buy a better greenhouse. Regards JohnnyK.
      PS. Charles, please do a video of what you do DIFFERENTLY within a greenhouse / polytunnel v outside. I can sense the beginnings of a new Charles Dowding GREENHOUSE fruit 'n' veg book.

  • @Benji1337
    @Benji1337 Před 4 lety +11

    I had some of that fleece, it was over some salads in the summer, it completely disintergrated in the sun and covered the beds in micro plastic. Absoloute nightmare.

    • @GreenJimll
      @GreenJimll Před 4 lety +1

      We had a similar experience the first year we tried using it. Laid it over the beds one weekend in early summer, had a storm during the week and came back to find it shredded and all over the plot. Never used it again since - much prefer a solid micromesh (enviromesh or similar).

    • @dusshan1
      @dusshan1 Před 4 lety

      thank you for sharing this experience. i am using the same fleece 2nd year already and so far it seems very sturdy, i can even water over it and it still holds together

    • @marikalehman8611
      @marikalehman8611 Před 4 lety +1

      Fleece is used to warm plants and as frost protection, not meant to be used in summer weather at all.
      If crops need protection in summer then mesh or netting is used.

  • @lunavera4604
    @lunavera4604 Před 4 lety +4

    "looks like a poo actually, I'll put it in the compost heap" I'm dead!!!
    giggles aside this was helpful thank you

  • @mamiejo2281
    @mamiejo2281 Před 4 lety +3

    Hello, I'm mamiejo, a french retired gerdener following you from France. My english is not perfect but I understand everything you say. I hope you'll understand what I'm trying to explain :
    To protect my young trees from rabbits teeth, I use a big empty cocacola plastic bottle. I take off both extremities, I open it on one side from tip to toes with scisors and I put the bottle around the tree trunck. With a thick bed of mulch all around the tree base, it won't move anylonger. When the tree is old enough, I take it off. It is very efficient and doesn't disturb the growth of the tree.
    Bye, see you later if necessary !

    • @CharlesDowding1nodig
      @CharlesDowding1nodig  Před 4 lety

      Thanks Mamiejo tres bien entendre

    • @Pipsqwak
      @Pipsqwak Před 4 lety

      Yes, I use a wrap on my young orchard trees - and surround each tree with a cage of chicken wire spread out over the ground at the bottom for a distance of about half a meter to discourage rabbits from digging. So far I have not had any rabbit or deer damage to my saplings.

    • @mamiejo2281
      @mamiejo2281 Před 4 lety

      @@Pipsqwak oh ! Thank you for your answer. Of course, with chicken wire, it is efficient but it costs some monney. A plastic bottle desn't cost a penny and it is in place in no time.
      To protect my trees from the deers, in autumn I wrap the trunks like a mommy with old brown stockings. From far, its invisible and the Deers hate it. In summer, I take them off.
      Bye !

  • @byrefilms
    @byrefilms Před 4 lety

    Thank you for your valuable advice as ever. For the last 20 odd years I worked as a freelance cameraman and would work away from home for a few weeks at a time only to return to a weed infested plot. I am now adopting a no dig system and travel a lot less these days but still return to a weed freeish garden since adopting your methods just 2 years ago. " Feed the soil not the plant"! Brilliant mantra!

    • @CharlesDowding1nodig
      @CharlesDowding1nodig  Před 4 lety

      Wonderful news, that makes me happy

    • @byrefilms
      @byrefilms Před 4 lety

      One problem I found is the lack of worms. This was due, I suspect, to a flat worm problem. As a dig gardener I found few worms. When I started re-cultivating I found worms for the first time after 5 years of fallow. That spurred me to re-seed native worms to see if that would reverse the situation. An interesting experiment, but difficult to evaluate without compromising no dig principles!@@CharlesDowding1nodig

    • @CharlesDowding1nodig
      @CharlesDowding1nodig  Před 4 lety

      Yes both flat worms and digging to assess worm numbers… not good

  • @jakobbrun6535
    @jakobbrun6535 Před 4 lety +16

    "Lovely" to see that you recycle human waste! Is there a specific reason you don't want to use it in your vegetable garden? I would think that most, if not all, of the bacteria that you don't want coming back into your system will have died off by the time you spread it out - or for sure, by harvest time?
    Wonderful video as always! It is an inspiration to see how much you have growing in the winter months.

    • @CharlesDowding1nodig
      @CharlesDowding1nodig  Před 4 lety +25

      Thanks Jakob and I wondered who might wonder this. Yes it makes sense to use it for food, but not when selling vegetables :)

    • @moiragoldsmith7052
      @moiragoldsmith7052 Před 4 lety +8

      @@CharlesDowding1nodig I was taught 2 years of composting. And yes, I agree, beautiful for the flowers; it's all natural so why do we wince at using it for any produce, just the thought makes me queasy 😳. 😂

    • @stefflus08
      @stefflus08 Před 4 lety +2

      I wouldn't mind at all if my fruit came from trees were composted human excrement was used, as long as it wasn't a sprayed slurry.
      My Swedes (we call them Kålrabi (kohlrabi) or Kålrot, so there must have been some confusion at some point) grew a bit slow and were left out until frost hit in late Sept. (67deg N)
      That resulted in rather thick, woody skins and a rather large portion of the smaller ones were woody by the stem and root.

    • @portiaholliday8741
      @portiaholliday8741 Před 4 lety +1

      Us true gardeners know the value of human waste:-)

    • @Green.Country.Agroforestry
      @Green.Country.Agroforestry Před 4 lety

      I wouldn't worry about using the rosemary from that garden:)

  • @sycamoreknox9419
    @sycamoreknox9419 Před 4 lety +14

    I've wondered if being on a plant based diet and not taking any medicines of any sort would make ones poo a fine addition to compost.

    • @CharlesDowding1nodig
      @CharlesDowding1nodig  Před 4 lety +6

      Surely must 😄

    • @CharlesDowding1nodig
      @CharlesDowding1nodig  Před 4 lety +2

      @serendipidus1 the book about Humanure deals with these questions in a less black and white way.
      As the original question suggests, not all human poo is the same.
      It's not true that it needs to reach temperatures that one cannot achieve't home'. History shows otherwise.
      I have willows near my compost toilet and they are growing fast!

    • @clairemcconway6266
      @clairemcconway6266 Před 4 lety +1

      It depends on who is eating the food. If it's the same person, then it's fine. You can't catch something from something that's already been through your own gut. If other people, then read the Humanure book by Joseph Jenkins.

    • @sycamoreknox9419
      @sycamoreknox9419 Před 4 lety

      @@clairemcconway6266 Thanks for the tip.

  • @anthonyoch8285
    @anthonyoch8285 Před 3 lety

    Man, these videos are just so calming and reassuring. Best thing to happen to youtube!

    • @CharlesDowding1nodig
      @CharlesDowding1nodig  Před 3 lety +1

      That is so nice, thanks

    • @anthonyoch8285
      @anthonyoch8285 Před 3 lety +1

      @@CharlesDowding1nodig Thank you for inspiring me to take up Gardening. Ive been looking into studying agriculture and your work shows that care and effort produce something lifechanging.

    • @CharlesDowding1nodig
      @CharlesDowding1nodig  Před 3 lety +1

      @@anthonyoch8285 Great to hear this Anthony, go well

  • @ullahnadeem6738
    @ullahnadeem6738 Před 4 lety

    Hi i am DR NADEEM AFRIDI from Pakistan.. i am a big fan of You..in the Holy Quran , ALLH/ GOD says that the one who plant a tree and the fruit it bear eaten by any creature...that farmer will be rewarded charity / SADQA for each fruit..
    so you are doing a great job..May Allah reward your hard and smart work..
    i love your efforts

    • @CharlesDowding1nodig
      @CharlesDowding1nodig  Před 4 lety +1

      Dr Nadeem I am touched by your lovely comment, thank you, and may your work also be rewarded

  • @JNYC-gb1pp
    @JNYC-gb1pp Před 4 lety +2

    8:37 'looks like a poo"
    haha...the joys of gardening!

  • @TheMwales
    @TheMwales Před 4 lety +4

    i also use cat compost on my flower beds, so far so good. It seemed a shame to let it go to a landfill.

  • @killjoyredux8361
    @killjoyredux8361 Před 3 lety

    I love that you use Ludovico's music in the intro Charles. Perfect.

  • @LittleJordanFarm
    @LittleJordanFarm Před 4 lety +1

    You are the only gardener I know that has a beautiful garden in the winter..lol..blessings

  • @Ed-iz4wm
    @Ed-iz4wm Před 4 lety +3

    When I lived in Japan, over 20 years ago, they used human waste in the rice fields. They don't have a lot of cattle there.

    • @CharlesDowding1nodig
      @CharlesDowding1nodig  Před 4 lety +1

      Yes and they needed it, need it now too! Good land is so scarce for a huge population, like here too.

  • @ArmindaHeart
    @ArmindaHeart Před 4 lety +4

    I’d love to be able to have that much compost. How do you get your materials for making compost piles?

    • @CharlesDowding1nodig
      @CharlesDowding1nodig  Před 4 lety +7

      See my making compost videos. I keep eyes open for coffee grounds, mowings, old wood to chip, spent hops, add some soil!

    • @ximono
      @ximono Před 4 lety

      @@CharlesDowding1nodig Roughly how much soil would you add, if you don't mind me asking..? I'm about to establish my first compost heap, so I'm learning as much as I can. (Thank you for a brilliant channel!)

    • @CharlesDowding1nodig
      @CharlesDowding1nodig  Před 4 lety +1

      @@ximono No more than 5% by volume

  • @karltraunmuller7048
    @karltraunmuller7048 Před 3 lety

    I enjoy your videos so much 👍🏻 Your videos made me discover the joy of growing your own vegetables 🍅

  • @nickhammersonrocks
    @nickhammersonrocks Před 3 lety +2

    THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE HAVE LEARNED FROM SIR CHARLES DOWDING IS THAT IF YOU GROW ENOUGH KALE, YOU CAN MAKE YOUR YARD LOOK LIKE FLORIDA!!!!!!

  • @user-ir4ki1oi5s
    @user-ir4ki1oi5s Před 4 lety +3

    👍👍👍

  • @Tamarind525
    @Tamarind525 Před 3 lety

    He makes it look so easy! Great to see the garden in the winter, all seasons.

  • @boss_sus8646
    @boss_sus8646 Před 4 lety +1

    Mr Charles beautiful garden!!!!ok💪🏼💪💪💪👍👍👍👍

  • @hermandewet2080
    @hermandewet2080 Před 4 lety

    Greetings from Waiheke Island, NZ.
    I always enjoy and learn from your program.
    On the topic of human waste, I have used all the water from my waste treatment plant( aerating both grey and black matter) in my vege garden for the past 12 years. During the wet winter months it goes mostly on the lawn/ native garden and from October to June mostly on vegetables. We are 100% reliant on rainwater, so the veges can only get the treated water through the drier months. We have never had any issues with the fruit and all the friends that share know my practice- no issues there either.
    I do not use any sprays and it appears as if the soapy water helps to deter pests.
    I also practice no dig gardening, mulching mainly with seagrass( in abundance at low tide after a strong wind ) and lawn clippings. I do plant in homemade compost .

    • @CharlesDowding1nodig
      @CharlesDowding1nodig  Před 4 lety

      Thanks for this Herman, very useful information and your gardening is sustainable!

  • @brunoaeschbacher8595
    @brunoaeschbacher8595 Před 4 lety +2

    Very inspiring video Charles!! With a Major in agricultural plant science I should know a lot of the theoretical stuff but obviously I had quite some knowledge gaps regarding the garden practice...until I found your channel! 🤓👍 great work!!

  • @Lisa-pe4kq
    @Lisa-pe4kq Před 4 lety +2

    Love all the knowledge I get from 'across the pond' but I always have to adjust it to my climate where I have to add water to the compost. Thank you so much Sir.

  • @jenniferlanclos9631
    @jenniferlanclos9631 Před 4 lety

    Aloha! My 3-year-old son is perhaps one of your biggest fans. He *loves* gardening and has his own that he started on his own in small plot where we removed a 6 foot round of 30 ft tall bamboo. He hasn't yet figured out the idea of sowing seeds one at a time, so I've come out to see him pouring an entire packet of seeds in one hole. We're not entirely certain what is going to come up since he collects seeds from everywhere and anyone. The people at our farmers' market know his love for seeds and they often give him some of theirs to share. He really wants to grow brussel sprouts, but I do not think they will grow where we are in Hawaii. He would also like some rabbits to visit his garden, but alas, they will not visit in the night! After puttering in his garden for the whole morning, he will come in and tell me, "Mom, I need some wood from the shed." "What do you need wood for?" "I need to rebuild our compost bin. It needs three bins. Not just one. I need a hammer too. And some nails." Thank you for the inspiration! I am glad he has taken a liking to garden videos in lieu of other small child "entertainment" out there. We started watching garden videos to accomplish a tooth brushing and now he would like his teeth brushed all day.

    • @CharlesDowding1nodig
      @CharlesDowding1nodig  Před 4 lety +1

      Ah thanks this is lovely to hear. What a fascinating boy!
      You are right that Brussels sprouts will probably be not good in your climate, I would first try the local vegetables.

    • @CharlesDowding1nodig
      @CharlesDowding1nodig  Před 4 lety +2

      And please say hello from me!

  • @berniegriffin3117
    @berniegriffin3117 Před 4 lety

    Great, Charles. Inspiring to anyone but certainly to this 👵 old colonial boy. Bernie from New Zealand.

  • @dusshan1
    @dusshan1 Před 4 lety +1

    i am impressed by total lack of weeds in your compost heap

  • @edgardoserrut7368
    @edgardoserrut7368 Před 4 lety

    Wonderful video! I just started creating an urban no-dig vegetable garden all with homemade compost, mostly sheep manure with hay. With the help of your book 'How to create a new vegetable garden' and your videos I've been getting fantastic results. From lawn to harvesting green beans and early cucumbers 70 days later. Thank you for sharing these videos! I'm in a subtropical climate.

  • @bluovalgal
    @bluovalgal Před 4 lety +1

    I am continually inspired each time I watch one of your videos! Thank you!!

  • @scotchcrofter9964
    @scotchcrofter9964 Před 4 lety +1

    Awesome garden

  • @kiddobee3610
    @kiddobee3610 Před 4 lety +1

    That is a gorgeous rosemary bush in your ornamental bed 😍

  • @kilirex
    @kilirex Před 4 lety

    Awesome garden. You’re the best gardener ever 👍👍👍

  • @dogfacegaming1128
    @dogfacegaming1128 Před 3 lety

    i love watching his videos , i can learn a lot plus i enjoy watching him look HIGH while explaining :D

  • @Ash-xx5zd
    @Ash-xx5zd Před 3 lety

    Enjoyed this garden tour! And loved all the information and plant labels you provided for us viewers. You're a legend. Thank youuu.

  • @libellule1499
    @libellule1499 Před 3 lety

    Thank you for this very nice vidéo!! I love your garden and your happy vegetables!! 🌸

  • @suttonsplash14
    @suttonsplash14 Před 3 lety

    Charles you are an inspiration!

  • @yes350yes
    @yes350yes Před 4 lety +1

    Ive watched a lot vids recently on no till gardening. In the past I have tilled my small but this year I did cover it with horse manure and will cover with cardboard as Ive done the past two winter to try and keep the weeds down but this year I do plan on just use cardboard and no till. for the first time with tomatoes.beefsteak at that. The size of my tomato plot is more like one of your raised beds but I only tomatoes in it. I also make my own compost, but I just use 3' high by 4' around to start then close it down as it finishs.

    • @yes350yes
      @yes350yes Před 4 lety

      Because I will have a limited amount of homemade compost. My plan is to cut out the cardboard where my tomato plants will go remove at least some of the soil and add my compost to the hole.

  • @arhodes2866
    @arhodes2866 Před 3 lety

    Bit late to comment but really enjoyed the video. Thank you for taking the time to post it.