How to Set Up a No-Dig Garden with Edging

July 3, 2026

Stone-effect no-dig garden edging installed around a neat garden bed border

The no-dig gardening method is one of the best-kept secrets in horticulture. Instead of tilling and turning your soil — which disrupts beneficial microbes and worm activity — you build up layers on top of the ground. The result is a thriving, low-maintenance garden bed that gets better every year.

Pair the no-dig method with quality garden edging and you'll have a clean, defined garden that's easy to maintain and looks great year-round. Here's how to do it.

What Is No-Dig Gardening?

No-dig gardening (also called no-till gardening) involves smothering existing grass or weeds with cardboard or newspaper, then layering compost, mulch, and topsoil on top. Over time, the cardboard breaks down, worms move in, and the soil beneath becomes rich and workable — without a single turn of a spade.

Benefits of No-Dig Gardening

Less weeding: Smothering the ground suppresses weed seeds and prevents new ones from taking hold.
Better soil structure: Undisturbed soil retains its natural structure, improving drainage and aeration.
More worms: Earthworms thrive in undisturbed soil, naturally aerating and fertilizing as they go.
Less work: No heavy digging means less physical effort, especially on large plots.

Step-by-Step: How to Set Up a No-Dig Garden Bed

Step 1: Define Your Bed with Edging

Before you start layering, mark out the shape of your garden bed and install edging to keep it contained. Edging prevents grass from creeping in, gives your garden a polished look, and makes mowing around the bed much easier.

Our 20-Piece No-Dig Garden Edging – Stone Effect, Grey is perfect for this step. The interlocking stone-effect pieces create a natural-looking border that requires no digging to install — just press them into the ground. For a more flexible option that works around curves and irregular shapes, our No-Dig Garden Edging Kit comes in three sizes and bends easily to follow any garden outline.

Step 2: Lay Cardboard

Cover the entire bed area with overlapping sheets of cardboard (remove any tape or staples first). Wet the cardboard thoroughly — this helps it break down faster and prevents it from blowing away. The cardboard smothers existing grass and weeds while providing food for earthworms.

Step 3: Add a Compost Layer

Spread a 4–6 inch layer of good quality compost over the cardboard. This is the primary growing medium for your plants in the first season. Use homemade compost, bagged garden compost, or well-rotted manure.

Step 4: Top with Mulch

Add a 2–3 inch layer of wood chip mulch or straw on top of the compost. This retains moisture, suppresses any remaining weeds, and continues to break down into the soil over time.

Step 5: Plant and Water

You can plant directly into the compost layer. For transplants, simply push aside the mulch, make a hole in the compost, and plant as normal. Water well after planting and keep the bed consistently moist while plants establish.

Maintaining Your No-Dig Bed

Each year, simply add a fresh layer of compost on top of the bed — no digging required. The soil will continue to improve season after season. Top up your edging if any pieces shift over winter.