No-till Flower Farming

Understand the basics of this regenerative growing practice.

If you’ve ever spent time digging in the garden, you know how tempting it is to turn over the soil, breaking it up to make way for new plants. But what if I told you that keeping that soil undisturbed could actually make your garden or farm even healthier? Enter no-till farming: a practice that’s all about working with the land rather than against it.

When I started out, I had no idea what no-till farming was about but there were a few incredible flower farmers (like Jennie Love’s “No-Till Flowers podcast and Tony & Denise Gaetz with Bare Mountain Farm) who were leading the way in these efforts. As a learning enthusiast, I started consuming as much information as I could because I knew I wanted to be as mindful in my approach to growing as I could, and using no-till methods fell in line with that approach.

What is No-Till Farming?

No-till farming is exactly what it sounds like: growing crops without tilling or turning the soil. Traditional tilling methods break up compacted earth, mix in organic matter, and help prepare a seedbed, but they also disrupt soil structure, expose microorganisms to the elements, and contribute to erosion. No-till farming, on the other hand, relies on natural soil processes, using cover crops, mulch, and organic matter to maintain fertility and structure without mechanical disturbance.

The Benefits of No-Till Farming

1. Improved Soil Health

Healthy soil is the foundation of any thriving farm or garden. No-till methods preserve soil structure, allowing beneficial microbes and fungi to thrive. These underground workers help break down organic matter, cycle nutrients, and improve soil aeration—all without the need for a plow. This often results on healthier plants, too!

2. Better Moisture Retention

When soil is left undisturbed and covered with organic matter, it holds onto moisture more effectively. This means less need for irrigation, especially in drier months, and a more resilient growing environment during unpredictable weather patterns.

3. Reduced Erosion and Runoff

Tilling exposes the soil to wind and rain, increasing the risk of erosion and nutrient loss. No-till farming keeps the soil anchored and covered, reducing runoff and helping prevent sediment from washing into waterway, which is a win for both farmers and the environment.

4. Carbon Sequestration

Healthy, undisturbed soil acts as a carbon sink, storing organic carbon rather than releasing it into the atmosphere. This means that no-till farming plays a role in reducing greenhouse gases and mitigating climate change.

Bower having her moment with the cover crop. Photo ©Arlyn Flower Farm 2025

How to Implement Basic No-Till Practices

• Minimize tilling: This probably seems obvious. If you don’t have to till, then don’t! But sometimes getting initial ground exposed in order to plant requires a till, especially if you’re working on a large area. So, an initial till can be okay if need be, but from there focus on leaving the ground in tact. However, you can start a garden space without needing to break ground (I’ll explain this method below).

• Use Cover Crops: Planting cover crops can help protect the soil in the off-season (and during the season), adds nutrients, and prevents weeds from taking over. There are a variety of different cover crops you can use based on what your soil needs.

• Add Organic Mulch: Leaving plant debris on your rows (assuming it is disease free) or applying other organic mulch like straw, leaves, or wood chips helps build soil structure and retain moisture.

• Minimize Soil Disturbance: Instead of digging or plowing, consider using a broadfork to gently aerate the soil when needed (for example, if you’re wanting to add any amendements into the soil).

Building a No-Till Garden Bed

This past fall I had some extra compost and soil because I had moved my tulip beds from the farm to my house in town. So, as any garden-growing obsessed person would do, I made a new garden for myself in my backyard. This area was part of my lawn and I knew I didn’t want to break up the soil or remove all the grass, but I also knew I needed to weaken the grass to help it from growing through the dirt. This is where the no-till method worked beautifully. Here’s a quick rundown of how I did it. I wish I had pictures to go along with the process, but I’m still not in the habit of documenting my every move to have content… maybe someday.

Here are the supplies you’ll need:

• Plain cardboard (remove any tape, staples, or glossy coatings) or brown kraft paper

• Compost (finished compost, aged manure, or a mix)

• Mulch (straw, leaves, wood chips, or grass clippings)

• Optional: Garden soil for planting layer

Here’s the steps to follow:

• Lay Down Cardboard: Overlap pieces by at least 6 inches to block weeds from growing through. Soak the cardboard with water to help it break down faster and stay in place. Now, I didn’t have cardboard on hand so I used brown kraft paper (the paper I use to wrap bouquets) and essentially quadruple-layered the paper.

• Add Compost: Spread a thick layer (4–6 inches) of compost on top of the cardboard. If you have poor soil underneath, you can add a mix of compost and topsoil for better structure.

• Mulch the Top: Cover the compost with a 2–4 inch layer of mulch to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and prevent erosion.

• Water Thoroughly: Give the bed a deep watering to help all layers settle and start breaking down.

• Plant Directly or Let It Sit: You can plant right away by making small holes through the layers for transplants. If planting seeds, add a thin layer of soil on top of the compost. For best results, let the bed sit for a few weeks to break down before planting.

That’s it! Over time, the cardboard/kraft paper decomposes, improving soil life while suppressing weeds and feeding the microbes that keep your garden thriving. Now, if you have even more time before you’re planting into it, you can cover the grassy area with a tarp or plastic to weaken/kill off the grass even more before you cover it with cardboard.

A Shift in Perspective

No-till farming isn’t just a technique but it’s a mindset shift. It requires patience and trust in nature’s ability to do the heavy lifting and it’s a lesson in truly working with nature. But over time, the benefits speak for themselves: richer soil, healthier crops, less weeds and a more sustainable relationship with the land.

Now, no-till methods are perhaps more manageable with smaller areas, but there are traditional farmers with acres and acres of land that still follow general no-till or low-till practices. No-till practices really do offer a way to grow in harmony with nature… and isn’t that the kind of rhythm we’re all looking for?