Types Of Digging

Single Digging

Dig a trench about 2ft wide and one spit deep. Remove the soil to the other end of the plot as this will be used to fill the final trench.

Dig a second trench alongside the first one turning the soil into the first trench. Mix in compost or manure as you go. Continue this way until you reach the end of the plot.

Double Digging

Double digging, also called trenching, involves forking and manuring at double the depth of single digging. First and second spit soil must be returned to its own level.

Dig a trench one spit deep and 3ft wide. Remove the soil to the other end of the plot and use it to fill the final trench.

Dividing the trench in half lengthways, dig out the first half another spit deep. You now have a trench with a stepped bottom.

Fork and manure the bottom of the deeper trench.

Return the second spit to its own depth.

Dig a new trench 1.5 ft wide and one spit deep. Use the soil to fill the first trench to surface level.

Continue in this way across the last trench with the soil taken from the first.