In October 2023, I stood in front of this dry patch of land in Saifana with a mix of hope and doubt. We had just lost our only bore well, and starting a new garden during such an uncertain time felt like a quiet leap of faith. Still, I was determined to test whether no-dig farming, a method popularized by Charles Dowding, could thrive in our tropical conditions.

Starting from the Surface

Instead of tilling, I covered the entire plot with rice husk mulch, a byproduct of local rice mills that's often discarded in Bayan. That mulch became our first shield against erosion and water loss. Then I am with Rinda & Eli carefully marked out garden beds and paths using simple string lines.

Compost on Top, and Let Nature Work

We spread compost directly onto the beds (photo 2), skipping the digging altogether. I planted chillies and a few herbs right into this layer, not expecting much, just trying. It was dry. Rain was late. But we kept going: composting, weeding, adding manure, and watching.

Interplanting and Unexpected Growth
As days went on, I added chives, pakchoy, and lettuce Batavia into the mix. Interplanting helped make the most of our small space, and slowly, the garden came alive (photo 3).

A Turning Point in 2024
Everything changed when we finally got a new bore well in early 2024. With water back, the garden responded fast. We added radish to the beds, rotated crops, and watched everything grow with more vigor. That space is now a thriving herb garden that continues to nourish our kitchen and our spirit (photo 4).

Why This Matters

This journey reminded me that good soil doesn’t ask for force, just care. The no-dig method, rooted in trust and patience, proved itself even in dryland conditions. And it’s thanks to pioneers like Charles Dowding, who have shown the world that soil health begins at the surface.