[angelavdavis]

So many factors can affect the way you garden on a plot:

- soil geology and location (either what part of the country or even where on the site.  On our site, some plots get water logged in winter, whilst other plot holders find they can't dig their plots past April as the soil is rock solid).
- proximity to water supply
- level of personal fitness (I crushed a disc in my back years ago so digging results in discomfort for me)
- what you prefer or believe to work for you (I am an advocate for no dig and lasagne gardening methods).
- what time you have to work on your plot
- size of plot
- whether you can get hold of plenty of organic mulches, etc as you have access to transport or live near supplies.

I personally don't have grass paths as I don't have time to mow them and I found that the couch grass/bindweed invaded from the paths into the beds so it was a constant battle to hold it back.  Other plotholders have commented that apparently I have an easy plot because I don't get weeds! 

I generally don't dig - an occasional forking if I think a bed has become compacted and deep mulching on top if left for any time (I generally don't have any unused beds - I mulch and replant so always have new plants on the go ready to go into the beds that are still producing).

I only really water when I first plant out.  I ensure the bed is thoroughly wetted then mulched.  Only under severe drought or with new seedlings do I water.

The only exception to the above digging and watering points are potatoes.  I do earth up potatoes so I guess, over the year, the beds will get a good dig.

[goodtogrow]

Yes, thanks for that, angelavdavis.

We all agree that we're all different, and that our plots are too, so what constitutes 'as little as possible' for one, doesn't apply to everyone.

But we all have a 'as little as possible' option.  In my own case I accept that my crops are not as good as someone on the same site who puts in more effort, but those crops are still acceptable to me.

Some of us, for want of time or physical capacity, can't put in as much effort as others, so it's good to consider what we 'can get away with' so that we can still enjoy the growing in our own way.

Have a great season.

Tom