Charles Dowding's Vegetable Course

This book is a distillation of charles' course, and is full of convincing arguements to give no-dig gardening a go. There are compulsive arguements about the destruction caused by constant digging of the soil, and with charles methods and instructions there is hope beyond the back breaking rituals associated with traditional veg gardening. Yes it does take lots of vigilance in the first few seasons to keep on top of the weeds, and yes it needs large amounts of compost to make it work. On my allotment i intend to use the ideas in this book as much as i can, disturbing the ground as little as possible, and try to keep areas clear of weeds and covered in compost. I started this approach last year and it did work. This book isn't going to be to everyones taste, some people actually like digging, but the proof is in the pudding, and bearing in mind that charles runs a business from his smallholding, the results must be good.

Having read other books by Charles Dowding I was very excited to see that he had produced the Vegetable Course. I received it just in time for holiday reading....and I wasn't disappointed. As always with Charles's writing, you get real detailed instruction...rather than vague notions. If like me you practice no-dig growing it is wonderful to read of practical experiences with this. If you want precise instructions for growing veg sucessfully in the UK I don't think you can find a better book. What is more, it is so readable. Some books offer lots of information, but are dry and dull. Then there are the photos of Charles' garden....what more inspiration could you need?!

Item arrived on time and Looks very interesting. So far easy to read and understand. I've only started to read it.

A very practical book that gives you all you need to know about vegetable gardening. I particularly liked the fact that the chapters are arranged by season, by vegetable and how to grow in succession so that you can cross reference at any stage. I am an experienced gardener and was inspired by a recent talk by the author as the thought of letting the worms do the digging was very appealing to someone who is now starting to feel the effects of old age! The book has also explained how I can keep much more of my garden in productive use rather than growing weeds.

A superb cook for vegetable gardeners, beginners or experienced. A straightforward writing style with useful advice and suggestions. I was at first sceptical about the no-dig approach (soil scientists in my family clucked and protested!) but after a year of fantastic harvests and fewer weeds, I was hooked. But the book offers a great deal of other practical advice, so worth buying even if you are already no-dig convert!

This is an EXCELLENT book. I have dozens of gardening books and this one by Charles Dowding, after the first chapter, explained to me how the garden lives and how to nurture the soil. It is so simple and has completely changed my way of growing vegetables... I went on to buy Charles Dowding's How to Grow Winter Vegetables... Gardening is no longer a battle for me as I now understand it.

The best vegetable book. Explains laying out no dig beds. It gives good advice on sowing and planting out of different veg. I've learnt more from this one book than the many I have read before

Being an experienced gardener and one who always Winter dug,i was a bit dubious when i first started reading and studying what was being preached in this 'Bible' HOWEVER this system works,the book is easy to read well illustrated and answers any questions that a no dig sceptic might throw at one who practices this method.This book was for me at least Money well spent.