Surprisingly, there is no consensus in the gardening world on the question of whether or not you should dig up a bed. On the contrary, both the opponents and the supporters have valid arguments for their respective positions. We have collected the most important ones so that you can form your own opinion.
Digging is not only exhausting, it is often unnecessary
Benefits of digging
There is no question: If a bed is first created or if you want to turn the existing meadow into a vegetable garden, you cannot avoid digging. But do beds that have already been laid out and always tended really have to be thoroughly tilled every year from new ones?
loosening of the soil
In particular, heavy, loamy soils benefit from digging, which should be done about every one to three years - depending on the severity of the soil. In this way, the soil can be enriched with oxygen and it is also made more permeable. The addition and deeper incorporation of sand and compost also continuously improves the soil.
Fortification with nutrients
Enriching the soil with organic materials, such as compost, manure or green manure, leads to a higher nutrient density, a loose, humus-rich soil and also ensures sustainable management of the garden.
Less weeds
If the garden bed is dug up frequently, less and less weeds will grow over time. The reason for this is that the endless roots of typical root weeds are destroyed again and again, and weeds and their roots can be deeply removed by digging up.
Higher yields
A loose, humus-rich soil with few weeds, on the other hand, promises higher yields. This has been confirmed in scientific studies, especially in relation to the double digging of very heavy clay soils.
Disadvantages of digging
Nevertheless, there are some points that speak against digging up. This also includes the fact that it is a physically very strenuous and time-consuming job that is not necessary for every floor.
Soil loosening often sufficient
While you cannot avoid deep loosening with heavy garden soil, digging is basically not necessary with other, lighter soil types. Simply loosening the soil is sufficient here, but it does not have to be turned. You can use a digging fork or a cultivator for this.
Disruption of the microclimate in the soil
Probably the most important reason against digging up the garden soil is that you disturb the microclimate in the soil as well as the numerous microorganisms and animals living in it - especially if you work the bed in autumn and thus suddenly expose the creatures to the approaching cold. On the other hand, they usually acclimatize again quickly, so this argument is only partially valid.
tips
Digging up the bed in autumn has the advantage that the crumbs of soil are finely crumbled by the winter frost and are therefore particularly suitable for planting.