Charles Dowding's Vegetable Course

Charles Dowding, the master of no-dig gardening, developed his highly successful methods of vegetable growing through 30 years experience of growing and selling vegetables and extensive experiments. Through his courses at Lower Farm in Somerset and his three previous books, he has won a keen following. Beginners and experienced veg growers alike find that his methods work and that he opens their minds to new possibilities. Now he has distilled the essence of his courses and ideas into one book. In it you will find out how to grow vegetables the Charles Dowding way. Charles Dowding's Vegetable Course is both a straightforward guide to success and an inspiring source of ideas for achieving a more productive vegetable garden for less effort. Lower Farm, run by Charles and Susie Dowding, has been part of Sawday's Special Places to Stay collection for 12 years. Click the link on the left to visit Sawday's to find out about accommodation at Lower Farm and our other characterful, independently-run places to stay across the UK and Europe. All have been inspected and selected because we like them - what makes each 'special' varies hugely, but common to all are owners whose personality, friendliness and local knowledge ensure a memorable stay.

About the Author :
Charles Dowding grew up on a dairy farm in Somerset. After graduating from Cambridge, he worked for a hotel in the Inner Hebrides before starting to grow organic vegetables commercially on the family farm in the early 1980s. In 1990 he left behind what was by then a large market garden to live in France and Zambia. Returning to Somerset in the mid-1990s, he established a bed and breakfast and vegetable growing business at Lower Farm in Shepton Montague, Somerset. There, Charles's salad bags were the main output from his two-acre garden of permanent raised beds and fruit trees. Charles runs vegetable-growing courses and lectures and writes books on his unique growing techniques. Since 2012 Charles has begun a new garden at Shepton Mallet in Somerset which he has designed using no-dig principles. Charles Dowding received the RHS Elizabeth Medal of Honour in March 2024, one of the highest honours in horticulture.

Review :
This book is essential reading to gardeners of all abilities. The advice given is honest, truthful and fresh without trying to impress its readers and that is what makes this book so impressive. It is the best all round garden book I have read in years and worth every penny of the cover price. This is definitely no ordinary run of the mill book and should be on every gardener's bookshelf even if you have to beg, steal or borrow it. Offers clearly explained, prectical information on what every gardener wants to know: how to tend your plot with minimal effort and achieve abundant, healthy harvests. Sharpen-up your veg-growing skills with this new guide.  I visited Charles' garden some four years ago when he held his annual open day. It turned into a life changing afternoon out. The rotavator was sold and we have never dug since. Our vegetable patch now provides us with virtually all our vegetable needs, is totally organic and looks a picture too. Thank you Charles. I don't think I've ever previously sat down and read a book on vegetable growing from cover to cover, but this one had me hooked. It is a model of clarity. Want to know about vegetables and no-dig gardening? Look no further: Charles Dowding is your guru. Packed with information and first hand experience. A wonderful book, to devour at a reading and to keep on hand for constant reference and enjoyment. Sharpen-up your veg-growing skills with this new guide. 'A must for the time stretched.' Bunny Guinness Charles Dowding is my hero: his no-dig approach to growing has saved me hours of back-breaking work and improved my techniques no end. His tried and tested advice has been proven from years of successful veg production and it's easy to see from the health and vitality of his plants that htis approach really works. A book for all growers, who will find easier, more productive ways to grow vegetables all the year round within. Offers clearly explained, prectical information on what every gardener wants to know: how to tend your plot with minimal effort and achieve abundant, healthy harvests. This book is essential reading to gardeners of all abilities. The advice given is honest, truthful and fresh without trying to impress its readers and that is what makes this book so impressive. It is the best all round garden book I have read in years and worth every penny of the cover price. This is definitely no ordinary run of the mill book and should be on every gardener's bookshelf even if you have to beg, steal or borrow it.