Charles Dowding - Organic Gardening

It wasnt the variety of salad leaf shape, texture and colour that impressed me most. It was the plants health. If ever there was vindication of Dowdings theories, here it was. The leaves seemed to burst from the ground, glossy and exuberant.

Matthew Fort, Guardian Weekend

Charles Dowding thinks the received wisdom is wrong, and he can prove it. Personally Im paying this book the ultimate compliment and converting my allotment into a no-dig zone. It feels better already.

Paul Kingsnorth, The Ecologist

The exceptional health and taste of the crops growing at Lower Farm bears witness to the methods employed in their cultivation. The only way to be truly convinced, of course, is to lay down your spade and fork and try the no-dig method for yourself. As Charles would say: The answer is in the soil.

Rebecca Pow, Amateur Gardening

This book is a must and should be in every school in the South-West. If kids learnt this sort of thing at school, perhaps they would not turn into couch potatoes.

James Crowden, NFU British Farmer and Grower

This is a blockbuster of a book. It should be recognised as one of the all-time great gardening books. Those who know little about no-dig gardening will find the general principles and methodology explained clearly. Those who are just interested in finding out how to grow particular vegetables and fruit will find a mine of information. The author has been generous Charles has given away his trade secrets knowledge which comes from personal experience rather than just repeating what earlier authors have said, and the book is easy to read definitely a Best Buy.

Mike Mason, Good Gardeners Association

Charless growing ground is a model of order and beauty; hes a passionate soil man. On a recent visit, two things struck me about his Somerset place. First, there isnt a weed to be seen, even though Dowding is cultivating an acre and a quarter of ground single-handed. And second, that thought has been given to the way plants are set out the plot looks good, as well as being productive.

Anna Pavord, The Independent Magazine

If anyone can convince gardeners that vegetable plots do not need digging, it is this author his methods are at times contrary to standard advice, but he is not dogmatic and has a gift for clear explanation.

Sue Stickland, RHS The Garden

I first met Charles in the 1980s when Geoff Hamilton and I presented an entire Gardeners World programme from his organic vegetable farm in Somerset. The crops grew on beds that were never dug, but dressed with compost or well-rotted manure. Now Charles has set up another vegetable garden on a smaller scale. A visit to Charless garden was all I needed to convince me to hang up my spade the secrets lie in Charless new book.

Anne Swithinbank, Western Morning News

Charless crops positively glow with health, in testament to his methods he conveys a deep reverence for the soil, which has fuelled his no-dig ethos.

Rebecca Pow, Kitchen Garden

Charles is a passionate and accomplished gardener, who grows vegetables of amazing flavour.

Raymond Blanc

Charles Dowding is a gardener of genius. The whole book is permeated with tips and ideas from a gardener who combines in his style both rigorous discipline and great sensitivity.

Patrick Whitefield, Permaculture

To my father, who amazingly tolerated my untried skills in his old orchard.

To my mother, who was always there and cooked so many fine meals.

To the Argyll Hotel Iona, in whose gardens I was introduced to organic vegetables.

To Charlie Wacher, who encouraged me to believe I could be an organic market gardener.

To many friends in the organic movement for camaraderie and inspiration.

To Mary Langman and Elisabeth Montgomery for help and wisdom.

To Fanny Charles for being such a champion of local, well-grown food.

To Alex Baulkwill and Tim Sandall for their enthusiasm.

To Lucy Pope for photographic help and inspiration.

To Phil Butler, Bill the Butcher, for so much encouragement of my salad leaves.

To Lawrence Woodward and Zizi Montgomery for setting me on the path towards this book.

To Amanda Cuthbert for invaluable help and advice in constructing this book.

To my family for all their love and support.

To Steph for her help and inspiration.