However, I have tested a couple of beds with a fork each month to see how easily they go in compared to areas where the no-dig isn’t being done.
Despite all the rains this winter, the fork goes in easily to full depth where no-dig has been practiced for 12 months. Worms exist (which I know because digging up carrots recently exposed about one per carrot removed).
So I”m thinking now that I don’t need to do any more tests and will trust the worms to do their best.