I mentioned this a couple of days ago. No-one appears to have it for sale, but I managed to find a PDF copy online. I’m now pleased I wasn’t able to buy it. The first couple of chapters are interesting, but I’d suggest the design of her beds isn’t really suitable for the UK because they’d just attract so many pests, particularly slugs and snails, but quite possibly also small rodents.
Chapter 3 is where I lost the plot though. She starts going on about dowsing and, well, no. Just no. You can be scientific or you can believe woo-woo. Dowsing is woo-woo. It has been discredited so many times when properly tested that it’s not even worth further discussion.
Chapter 4 on pest control and companion planting is a bit suspect as well, I’d suggest. I particularly dislike the use of the expression “It is said that A does B”. Lots of things are said. The mere fact that it has been said, even regularly repeated, doesn’t make it true though. The story that French Marigolds kill nematodes is repeated along with the fact that the nematodes can damage your plants. In fact, it’s one particular nematode that’s the problem and it’s most likely to be an issue in monoculture large-scale farming, and not in a temperate climate such as we have in the UK either. It is alleged that garlic “disinfects” the soil. What on earth can that possibly really mean that’s useful? And slugs are apparently attracted to compost. Really? Why are my compost heaps not full of slugs then? Why have my no-dig beds that are covered in tonnes of compost not themselves been covered in uncountable numbers of slugs this year? Sure, I’ve found some, but no more than I’d usually expect and perhaps not even that many.
Chapter 5 is all about comfrey and whilst some of the suggestions seem sensible, others are a little more out there. For what reason, for example, without resorting to further woo-woo, would I want to take a “blood cleanser”? What does that even mean?
The final chapter discusses compost and fertiliser some of which seems eminently sensible. But I quote:
The most important factor in the construction of the compost bin is that the bottom of the bin must be open. There must be earth contact with the compost. I believe that magnetic rays, radiation and other forces come through the bottom of the bin to aid in the rotting process and help produce a really first class result.
You what?! Not that I’d disagree that the bottom of the bin should be open. Absolutely so. But the rest of it…
Apparently air holes are necessary in the sides, too. Probably to allow the gnomes that live in the compost bins to breathe.
In conclusion, if you are curious about the history of “no dig” don’t let me stop you buying the book (if you can find it) or reading the PDF. Just don’t believe every word (perhaps not even half of them) that it contains.
