Garden Series: Then, There’s the “Back to Eden” Technique

By Tim Goodwin

April 16, 2025

Source: Almanac

Photo Source: Unsplash,

• 4:06

Then, There’s the “Back to Eden” Technique

Organic gardener Paul Gautschi popularized the “Back to Eden” method. He uses wood chips to mimic Mother Nature’s infinite ability to recycle nutrients.

1. Build a bed with thick layers of newspaper over cleared ground. Wet it down.

2. Top with about 4 inches of compost, then add a layer of wood chips about 2 inches deep, taking care not to mix the two layers.

3. Then, push aside the wood chips to plant into the compost beneath.

Of course, you could use other materials, such as leaf mold or hay, in place of wood chips. The secret of this top layer is to slow down evaporation and constantly feed the soil below so that no additional fertilizers are ever required.

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