DOUBLE-DIGGING YOUR GARDEN BEDS

What is double digging?

Double digging is a method of organic soil preparation that basically means preparing (digging) the bed to double the depth. Instead of only digging or turning over one spadeful of soil you are loosening a further spadeful with the help of a spading fork Double-digging is effective in improving the soil structure, and providing a loosened medium for healthy root systems. This improves the health and well being of your plants by providing enough air and water in the soil for healthy roots. These roots can access more nutrients, which results in more garden success and better yields.
The first time you attempt double digging the task is likely to feel overwhelming. Keep in mind however that in subsequent years the task of digging will never be as hard again as the soil will be loosened and the initial rocks, sticks and big clods of earth will be gone. The best time to double dig is in early spring when the soil has become workable, and is evenly moist, however it improves the structure of your soil no matter when it is done.

Double digging allows you to intensively grow more vegetables and flowers than usual, with more success. Double digging in combination with our innovative SunPod mini greenhouses gives plants both the added root space and extra depth of soil and nutrients combined with protection and a constant growing environment and this provides ideal growing conditions. This means bigger, better and tastier harvests. We have had snap peas that have not stopped producing as they usually would with the increase in summer temperatures, and supposedly once a year blooming roses, that flower constantly the whole season. The reason is clearly a healthier root system, and protection when needed.

What do I need to get started Double-digging?

The recommended shovel is a square, flat spade because it cuts evenly through the soil and the soil will be prepared to a consistent depth.
You will also need a spading fork to loosen the lower level of soil.
Some form of compost and or organic amendments to add to the soil.
Some stakes or string lines to accurately mark the bed.
A rake is helpful to level the bed afterwards
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How do you double-dig a bed?

1. If you are planning to cover your bed with a SunPod mini greenhouse, then place your assembled Sunpod on the chosen area and mark the edges, or trace the perimeter so that you have a good idea where the edges are.
2. Remove your SunPod and begin at one end of the bed, by using your square spade to remove a shovelful of soil, placing it at the head of the bed (you will put this soil in the other end of the bed when you are finished).
3. Continue removing this soil until you reach the other side of the bed-approx. 5 spadefuls. You should now have a trench and an even ridge of soil above.
4. Now spread a small layer of your compost and /or organic soil amendments in the trench and using the spading fork mix this in with the next layer of soil, trying to penetrate the full depth that your fork allows. Depending on the nature of your soil, you may find it hard to penetrate much deeper, however any loosening will help your plants have more root space and this layer will become looser in subsequent years.
5. Now dig the next trench and put this soil in your first trench on top of the loosened and composted subsoil, and repeat this process until you have worked through the whole garden bed.
6. When you have dug and loosened your last trench, the soil you put aside from the first trench is now placed in the last trench.
7. The bed now needs to be raked out and leveled.
8. If using a SunPod, place it over the prepared area. We recommend watering at this stage because the soil will settle a few cms and you will have a better idea of the final height of the soil if you water the bed a few times before attaching your anchors (included with every SunPod mini greenhouse kit).
9. Further settle your SunPod in by pushing downward on the mini greenhouse to compress the edge of the mini greenhouse into the soil slightly and then water again to further settle the soil
10. Now dig in the included anchors and attach them to the base of the greenhouse.
11. Your bed is now ready to be planted.