No dig
Charles Dowding is a hero of ours, who has done annual comparative vegetable beds since 2007. One pair of beds being disturbed (dug), and one pair undisturbed (undug, or top-dressed). All beds were initially prepared the same, and the seedling modules that are sown out into the beds are using the same medium. Generally he has seen that the undug beds hold a 6% higher yield, and also save him 2 hours of work a year (for beds of 1.5×2.5m). He has also noticed a discernible difference” in quality with leaves looking darker and glossier in the undug beds, and there being less slug damage. He also observes a 2/3 reduction in weeds from not digging. Spring growth is noticeably stronger, and, in dry weather, water can easily soak into the undug soil.