No dig gardening in AZ, Zone 8a

[PetraHildegarde]

I just bought an irrigated farm in SouthEast Arizona and I am studying up on creating a ‘no-dig’ vegetable and flower garden around the house. Local organic farmers tell me “I have to dig once” to “beds have to be 12-18″ high” to “you will never get rid of the bermuda grass”. I would be very grateful for any input. My other main concern is the heat during the summer. Average temp in May are 88, in June/July/August in the upper 90’s and September 91 degrees.
I am planning on veggies along with a berry patch of strawberry, raspberries and blackberries and later a fruit orchard. My final goal is to supply most of my own vegetables and fruit for a year round supply.

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[Christine]

very jealous of that heat!! wouldn’t worry about digging but I would definitely put down cardboard 1st even if you’re putting down a thick layer of compost. There was lots of chat on the forum a few months ago about no dig being great for reduced watering so I feel it may help with your summer season.
I have been following Charles for a year and have given up listening to all the wisdom you get from other gardeners and garden centre staff. Lots of people seem to have a great desire to make extra work and complications for your garden!
My other bit of advise is start making your compost now, you’ll never have enough!!

[PetraHildegarde]

Great! I have already collected cardboard and I have horses, so I’m already collecting manure, racked up leaves and green weeds I am already pulling. Some old hay,too. I am planning on getting a bale of alfalfa hay as that has previously worked great with the horse manure. My best flower bed ever was a mix of horse manure, alfalfa hay, a bit of leaves and old topsoil. I let it sit over winter and planted in spring.

Alas, for now, I will have to buy compost this spring and should have quite a bit this fall myself.

Where are you located, Christine?

I see myself doing the same thing… love listening to Charles’ videos on YouTube!

[charles]

Thanks both and Petra be careful of Bermuda grass, it’s more vigorous than our couch grass. You may even need black polythene over it for a whole year or until say September and the roots will cook underneath.
Your first year will be the most difficult because of that, best of luck.

[thuthaonk211]

Thank you so much for your confirming Charles! My back yard which I am planning to converted it into a no-dig garden is full of Bermuda grass, and we were worry about wether we would able to get rid of them. Would I still able to grow some winter squash on top of the black polythene or should I leave it alone for until next year or at least next September? I am in Oklahoma, zone 7b, US where the summer heat can go up to 100F from May to August, sunny from around 6:30a until 8:30pm and very dry weather.

[PetraHildegarde]

I want to say “OK, great!” but then again… lol I am very thankful for the advice, Charles. I consider this season as an experiment and setup time. I have found an area that seems to have no Bermuda grass and I figured I will put a couple beds up and see how it goes! The rest shall cook under the black polythene!

Happy No-Digging! <3

[PetraHildegarde]

I want to say “OK, great!” but then again… lol I am very thankful for the advice, Charles. I consider this season as an experiment and setup time. I have found an area that seems to have no Bermuda grass and I figured I will put a couple beds up and see how it goes! The rest shall cook under the black polythene!

Happy No-Digging! <3

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