What Is Back To Eden Gardening And How Do You Do It?

Have you heard of Back to Eden gardening? It has become very popular lately like Lasagna Gardening. This type of gardening includes simplicity, minimal intervention, and mimicking nature to create a thriving garden with minimal effort.

Inspired by the actual Garden of Eden from the Bible, this method uses a deep layer of organic mulch to nourish the soil, suppress weeds, and retain moisture.

By following these principles, Back to Eden gardening offers tons of benefits, including reduced water usage, increased soil fertility, and fewer pest problems.

Back to Eden Gardening: A Natural Approach to Gardening

Whether you are an experienced gardener or a beginner looking to start your gardening journey, this guide will give you knowledge and tools necessary to start your own Back to Eden garden.

You Might Also Like: The Health Benefits of Eating Fresh Vegetables From Your Garden

Understanding the Principles of Back to Eden Gardening

Before diving into the specifics of Back to Eden gardening, it’s important to understand the principles of this method.

The three core principles are:

1. Mulching: The key to Back to Eden gardening lies in the use of organic mulch. This can be a combination of wood chips, leaves, straw, or other decomposing organic matter. Mulch helps regulate soil temperature, retain moisture, and suppress weed growth. It also attracts beneficial soil organisms, such as earthworms, that aid in nutrient cycling and soil aeration.
2. No-till Approach: Back to Eden gardening avoids traditional tilling, because it disturbs the soil and exposes it to erosion. Instead, the focus is on building and maintaining healthy soil by layering mulch on top of the existing soil, allowing it to naturally break down over time. This promotes the development of nutrient-rich soil.
3. Minimal Watering: The deep layer of mulch in Back to Eden gardening acts as a natural water reservoir, reducing the need for frequent watering. The mulch layer helps prevent water evaporation while allowing rainwater to penetrate the soil slowly and deeply.

Implementing Back to Eden Gardening Techniques

To start your Back to Eden garden, follow these steps:

1. Site Selection and Preparation: Choose a location that receives the right amount of sunlight for your plants’ needs. Clear the area of existing vegetation and weeds, making a clean slate for your garden.
2. Mulch Application: Apply a thick layer of organic mulch, around 3-4 inches deep, over the entire garden area. Wood chips are an excellent choice, because they decompose slowly and add to the soil’s fertility over time. Avoid using mulch made from fresh, green wood, as it can temporarily deplete nitrogen from the soil.
3. Planting: Create small openings in the mulch layer to plant your desired crops or seeds. Gently push aside the mulch, plant the seedlings or seeds directly into the soil, and then cover them with the mulch.
4. Watering and Maintenance: To begin with, water the plants well to help establish their root systems. As the mulch retains moisture, more watering is generally minimal. Monitor your garden for weeds and remove them as necessary. Over time, the mulch will decompose, and you’ll need to add more.

Back to Eden gardening offers a natural and sustainable approach to a bountiful garden. By mimicking the processes found in nature, this method encourages soil health, reduces water uses, and minimizes the upkeep. The deep layer of organic mulch acts as a protective blanket, nourishing the soil, suppressing weeds, and maintaining moisture levels.

You Might Also Like: What Is The Best Mulch For Your Vegetable Garden?

Embracing Back to Eden gardening empowers both experienced and beginning gardeners to create thriving gardens while eliminating the need for synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and over-watering.

So, if you’re ready to start your Back to Eden Garden, you now understand how it works and how to get started now.