How to start a Lasagna Garden

[Cabanaboy1313]

Has anyone started a lasagna garden? We are looking to try it next spring. What were your layers.? Any tips what to do or not do? Any and all suggestions would be helpful.

[Belfrybat]

That is the only way I garden. I do use 8" sides, so end up with raised beds, but that is not necessary. Here's what I used (in order from bottom up):

Cardboard -- several layers
sawdust
green grass clippings
ground leaves
manure (I used rabbit, but any will do)
sawdust
grass clippings
ground leaves
manure
peat moss or coconut fiber (you want something that will trap water)
Aged compost
Wood ashes sprinkled liberally on top
Then I top with a layer of soil if I'm going to plant right away. Otherwise I just end with compost and ashes. My pile is usually 18 - 24" high. It reduces down to 6 - 8" in a few months. To keep it all together, I put cardboard sides inside the 2x8s. By the time the cardboard breaks down, the pile is reduced enough so it doesn't scatter everywhere.

Make sure to water well after each addition. I like to cover the bed for a couple of months to aid in everything breaking down.

[Belfrybat]

Here's a link to the MEN article that got me started on this method.
http://www.motherearthnews.com/organ...#axzz3Ib9Qbv57


The author of this article (and the book by the same name) says she plants right away. I prefer to let mine "cook" for at least a month or more.
She uses a lot more peat moss than I ever have due to the cost. I sometimes put two layers, but usually just one towards the top to help absorb water.

[beegrowing]

I have a permaculture book that advocates this method but with a slight change that makes a lot of sense and worked amazingly well for my raised beds. Right on the sod Start with Fresh manure or kitchen compost....at least half an inch. Then put down your cardboard or newspaper ....enough that it won't rot away the first year.Make sure there are no gaps in that cardboard layer. What that does is amp up all the organisms in your base soil to rot the sod And attract earthworms. By the time you turn your soil deeply the second year you'll have resident worms in your beds and organisms that make great soil. Mine had fresh manure both below and above the cardboard then some straw and then varied layers.When I turned the soil the second Spring it was Full of earthworms.4 years later I still have plenty of worms although not as many as that second year. I've never needed a separate earthworm/vermiculture area to have worms to add though. Also to capture more local earthworms cover some grassy or weedy areas with just cardboard and 6 inches or more of straw.....like around fruit trees or between beds. Not great for paths the first year cause it's real slippery to walk on But after the rains in the Spring or early summer you can lift the cardboard and collect worms to toss in your beds.