Deep Roots Project invites you to join our 2027 test of a new “no dig” method. Help us test a more affordable way to grow healthy organic food next season.
2027 Testing
Help us test a more affordable growing option
Deep Roots Project is inviting you to help test a more affordable way to grow healthy, organic food next season. Whether you already garden with us or have been waiting for a way to begin, we would love to have you on our 2027 testing team.
Together, we will explore a hybrid approach inspired by Charles Dowding’s “No Dig” method and our own experience growing in compost. Our goal is to improve the Deep Roots method while lowering the cost of getting started, so more people can join our gardening community, whatever their budget. If our trials succeed, we plan to offer this approach as a second growing option.
Building on the inspiration behind Deep Roots
Several years ago, Dowding inspired our horticulturist, Rita Crevoshay, to develop the Deep Roots method of growing in 100% compost instead of filling beds with soil. Our familiar approach uses raised beds, typically 15 inches tall, filled with compost, with worm castings used as fertilizer. We have focused especially on leafy greens and fruiting vegetables.
Both approaches value compost and the living organisms that help plants grow. The main difference is what lies beneath the compost. A Deep Roots bed provides a deep compost growing area. Dowding’s “No Dig” method places a shallower compost layer over existing, undisturbed native soil, allowing roots to use both.
How a No Dig bed works
A new bed can begin right on top of grass and weeds. This is a layered system; the gardener does not mix the compost into the soil. The layers are simple:
Leave suitable native soil in place, without tilling or turning it over.
Request a test of your native soil for lead and toxic chemicals.
Additional purchased topsoil layer is usually unnecessary, but it is best to test your existing soil first.
Cover grass and weeds with overlapping plain cardboard. Wet the cardboard to soften it and help it decompose.
Spread roughly 4 to 6 inches of Deep Roots nutrient- and microbe-rich compost over the cardboard, with the starting depth adjusted to the site and weed growth. More weeds needs more compost.
Plant directly into the compost you just put down.
A permanent wooden raised bed is optional. But you may want to use temporary boards to help hold the compost edges while it settles.
Planting seedlings: Place Deep Roots worm castings fertilizer into seedling holes and seed furrows. One cup for large plants like tomatoes and half cup for smaller plants like peppers and herbs. At first, roots grow in the compost. As the cardboard softens and breaks down, the roots can grow into the native soil below.
Refresh compost annually: Add about an inch of compost annually to the top of established beds. Persistent weeds still need regular removal, especially during the first 2 years. Earthworms and other soil organisms help maintain channels and soil structure over time.
Safe soil comes first
Because roots will reach down into your native soil below, it is important to assess that soil before choosing an open-bottom “No Dig” bed. Soil testing is especially important where lead or other contamination may be present.
If you find your native soil has contaminants, then use a raised bed in your yard. A raised bed can use a bottom layer of clean Deep Roots topsoil and Deep Roots compost above. The bottom of the bed would have a barrier that allows free drainage. A standard bed frame alone does not provide that protection, and cardboard is a temporary weed barrier, not a contamination barrier. In some cases the topsoil in the bottom of bed would be sufficient protection. Site safety will guide the choice of growing system.
Protecting young plants
Dowding uses horticultural fleece cloth and mesh cloth covers to shelter young plants and reduce pest damage. We want to test practical protection for our gardens too. Lightweight row cover can help with cold and wind. For rabbits and other wildlife Dowding uses securely fitted mesh or chicken wire on wire hoops. We will compare protection, cost, and ease of access to your crops for tending and harvesting, with covers adjusted for heat and pollination needs. One huge advantage of properly designed raised beds is that the bunnies can’t get in, so we will need to do more experimenting with the ground-level “No Dig” beds to find the best methods to protect against pests.
Why “No Dig” Can Cost Less
Our trials will help us compare actual costs with the food harvested. The potential savings come from two places: less compost and no need to purchase a raised bed.
[Warning - you may find you need a raised bed to protect the crops if the yard soil contains toxins. Many urban and suburban soils test positive for toxins. And even if you are using a raised bed, if the surrounding soil is contaminated, make sure it is covered with natives, leaf mulch or wood chips to keep any unhealthy soil dust out of the air.]
Cost comparison example: A new Deep Roots 4×8 raised bed including compost is about $875. Filling your own 4×8 raised bed to a depth of 15 about 40 cubic feet of bulk compost delivered by Deep Roots would cost about $330. Covering the same area of native ground with 4 to 6 inches requires about 11 to 16 cubic feet of bagged compost. At $8 per cubic foot this would cost $88 to $128. That is a substantial reduction in starting costs.
Soil testing, crop protection, and other supplies must also be included in your budget. The cost of a raised bed can range from $30 to hundreds of dollars depending on the type – cloth bed, DIY untreated pine bed, metal bed (Birdie brand), Deep Roots cedar bed (delivered & installed). (Deep Roots beds cost more because they are made of weather resistant cedar and the price includes delivery, installation, and filling the bed with compost.)
How much food could one small garden provide? For our trials, a reasonable planning target for a sunny, well-tended 4-by-8-foot “No Dig” bed is approximately 40–60 pounds of vegetables from spring through fall, using trellises and successive plantings to make good use of the space. An illustrative 50-pound harvest might include 20 pounds of tomatoes, 15 pounds of cucumbers, 5 pounds of sweet peppers, and 10 pounds of lettuce and spinach grown during the cooler spring and fall months.
Buying that mix as organic grocery-store produce could cost roughly $150–$250, depending on varieties, store, and seasonal prices. That is the harvest’s grocery value before subtracting compost, seeds, plants, water, and other gardening expenses. Weather, pests, and gardening experience will affect results, so our testing team will weigh harvests and track costs to learn what local gardeners can realistically expect.
What our testing team will help us learn
We want useful comparisons between the established Deep Roots approach and the Dowding method. Wherever practical, we will compare the same crop varieties grown at similar times in areas with similar sunlight, and record harvests per square foot. Questions we want to answer include:
How much does each approach cost to establish and maintain?
How much food does each produce, and how healthy are the plants?
How much watering, weeding, and other work is needed?
Which covers or barriers protect crops effectively and affordably?
Clear records of what went into each bed will help us understand both successes and problems. Beginners’ experiences will be especially valuable in showing us which instructions are clear and where more support is needed.
Join our 2027 testing team
Current Deep Roots gardeners can help by trying a small comparison bed or sharing observations from an existing garden. New gardeners can help us learn what it takes to start affordably. You do not need years of experience or a large growing space to express interest. Your test bed could be smaller, like 3x6 or 4x5 feet.
Contact Deep Roots Project at support@deep-roots-project.org, call or text 708-655-5299, or use our website contact form. Tell us you are interested in the 2027 “No Dig” trial, whether you already garden, and a little about your available space. We will use that information to plan the trials and discuss participation. Remember to sign up for our newsletter.
Your observations can help us offer more people a practical way to grow healthy, organic food at home.
