Sustainable Farming in the Cit y 311
How to double dig a garden bed
To grow as much as possible in a small area, or
to plant on hard soils or soils with little organic
matter, double digging is a good method.
➊ The edges of the planting bed should be just
wide enough across so that 2 people can kneel
at the edges of the bed and touch hands in the
middle. The bed can be as long as you need.
➋ Loosen the top of the soil and spread finished
compost or manure on top of the whole bed.
➌ Starting at one end, dig a ditch across the bed 30 cm deep and 30 cm wide.
topsoil
manure
➍ Use a digging fork or shovel to loosen the soil at the bottom of the ditch and add
some compost or manure to it.
➎ Dig a second ditch across the bed. Put the soil from the second ditch into the first
ditch. Loosen the soil at the bottom, and spread compost or manure.
➏ Continue until you have dug the entire bed. The loose soil will rise above the
surrounding soil. Make the bed smooth and flat, with the edges angled so that
water and soil do not run off. Add a layer of sifted, finished compost to the top of
the bed. Now it is ready for planting.
After you have prepared the beds, you should not walk on them because this
compacts the soil. If you double dig a plot once and add natural fertilizer every
season before you plant again, your soil will stay healthy and loose for many years.
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012