This year marks the fifth season of our no-till garden here at North10VT, and like every year, I’m refining my approach based on past successes, challenges, and new insights from soil testing, regenerative gardening techniques, and companion planting.

Expanding the Garden & Soil Challenges

Last season, I expanded the garden footprint by adding three large growing areas on the west side. This space was originally covered with decaying tree branches, which we chipped the year we first started the garden. The first year, I planted potatoes in this area, but it wasn’t fenced into the main garden until last season.

A view of the garden from the west. Notice the tarp in the lower right.

One of the new beds remained tarped throughout spring and summer to suppress grass, while the other two grew potatoes and pumpkins. The crops did okay, but it was obvious that the soil quality wasn’t as healthy as in our 15 original garden beds—which we built five years ago using the lasagna gardening method (layering cardboard, compost, and perennial soil from Vermont Compost Company). You can read about how we created the garden here.

Improving Soil Health with Cover Crops

In the fall, I planted winter rye and hairy vetch as a cover crop across all the garden beds. This decision was based on soil test results from UVM Extension, which provided insights into nutrient levels and soil structure. If you’re curious about my soil testing process and results, I detailed them in this blog post.

Managing the Garden Over Winter

I follow a no-till approach by:

• Raking up maple leaves each fall and layering them over the garden.

• Covering the entire area with a tarp from late fall through early spring.

Last year, however, the tarp didn’t just protect the soil—it became home to slugs and a family of skunks! I ended up documenting their relocation under our garden shed, which you can watch in this video.

A group of baby skunks nestled in a small burrow in a garden bed covered with dried plant debris and mulch. The skunks have black and white fur and appear to be resting or exploring their surroundings. — Baby skunks in the garden after we removed the tarp in the spring.

Pushing Companion Planting Further with the Push-Pull System

As part of my Master Gardener coursework, I learned about push-pull systems, a method that uses companion planting to naturally repel pests and attract beneficial insects. While I’ve always planted beneficial companion plants, this year, I’m taking it further by increasing plant diversity within each bed.

For example, last year I planted pole beans on teepees and attempted marigolds in the same bed. Unfortunately, slugs consumed most of the marigolds before they had a chance to thrive. This year, I’m trying a layered planting system in one of my beds:

• Sunflowers on the north side.

• Pole beans growing on a trellis.

• Marigolds in front of the beans.

• Carrots and beets interplanted in the front row.

This method increases biodiversity, reduces pest pressure, and (hopefully!) improves overall yields.

New Crops & Crop Rotation Plan

In addition to my staple crops, I’m excited to experiment with a few new varieties this season, all sourced from High Mowing Organic Seeds—my go-to seed company for high-quality, organic, and regionally adapted seeds:

• Nasturtiums (I grew them in Seattle but never in Vermont).

• Black beans (a first for this garden).

• Amaranth (for grains and as a nitrogen-fixing companion plant).

• Turnips and onions (testing them in Vermont conditions).

For the rest of the garden, I’m rotating crops to prevent disease and maintain soil health. I was surprised to learn in my Master Gardener program that crop rotation should extend beyond a single season—research suggests waiting at least three years before replanting the same plant family in the same bed for optimal soil health.

Reflections & Looking Ahead

I’m curious to see how the cover crops look in the spring. Depending on their growth, I plan to either:

• Scythe them down to create a mulch layer.

• Roll and crimp them to form a weed-suppressing mat.

It’s funny to think I spent hours pulling grass out of my garden last year—only to intentionally plant rye grass as a cover crop for the winter!

Rye grass and hairy vetch growing in the garden beds in November of last year.

What Are You Growing This Year?

Are you trying any new seed varieties or experimenting with cover crops this season? Did you conduct any garden experiments last year? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear about your plans and lessons learned!

For now, I’m enjoying the slower pace of winter, reading more gardening books, and planning for another abundant season.

Planning for Year Five: No-Till Garden Updates & Experiments