Simple
digging is merely lifting a section of soil on a spade,
turning it, dropping it back in the hole and chopping it
up. This method is suitable for cleaning the surface of
weeds and debris. Used best around existing plants or in between
beds.
Single
digging is a method used for ensuring complete turnover of
soil in a set area. The perimeter of the area should be
marked out, then a set of trenches need to be dug out.
Starting at one end dig out a trench approx 30cm wide and
a spade's depth (spit), place the soil from this trench on
the floor in a pile. Working backwards continue to dig
trenches of equal size placing the soil from each into the
trench in front.
When you get to the last trench place the
soil from the first one inside it. Take care not to
compact the soil too much by standing on it. Use this
method predominantly in vegetable patches, uniformed beds
and allotments. Add enhancements if needed as you go and
remove weeds.
Double
digging is the method used most when the ground is in need
of cultivation or improved drainage. The practise is
the same as single digging except the depth needs to be
two spits deep and you must ensure that the top and subsoil
do not get mixed up. If the topsoil is less than two spits
deep the two soils must be extracted and replaced again separately.
Take out one spit of soil from the first trench and place
to the side, take out the second spit off the first trench
and put that in a separate pile, then remove one spit from
the second trench and place it in a third pile. Transfer
the lower soil of the second trench into the bottom of the
first trench and add a spit of topsoil from the third
trench. Continue round transferring and adding ensuring
the soils are not getting mixed up. Invert soil where
needed and add enhancements. If the topsoil of the plot is
deeper than two spits there is no need to separate the
piles. Dig out two spits of soil and place to one side,
the soil from the second trench will go into the first one
and so on.
