Hi, I have a question: how deep/thick should each layer of layer gardening be? Thanks. I will have here on my place: grass clippings horse manure chicken manure saw dust leaves wood ashes moldy hay compost So, basically, all I will need to "buy" will be peat moss. I am excited about not having to till the garden, rake the garden, plant the garden, and PULL WEEDS! LOL
To keep in-ground weeds and grass from continuing to grow, start by covering the area with several sheets of newspaper or a layer of flattened cardboard boxes. Then start layering on the organic material. I used lots of newspaper on one years ago and this year I am using the shredded bits from our shredder in the bottom of a raised bed and more newspaper on the front garden. Don't use the fresh manure, both chicken and horse manure are "hot" and will kill plants they come in contact with. You can start a compost pile and let them age for a couple of years, then they will be good to use. Aged manure is safer. Make sure the grass clippings have not been sprayed with chemicals. Even if you don't use them, be sure your neighbors haven't accidently over sprayed their yard and gotten some on yours. Also, use clippings of grass cut before setting seed. Wood ash changes the pH level of soil, making it more alkaline which can kill acid loving flowers and vegies. It is a good additive to sprinkle a little on the top of the new bed as it will provide some nutrients. Also, use wood shavings sparingly too. Wood takes a long time to decompose and suck nitrogen out of the soil that your plants and vegies need for proper growth and production. Moldy hay is good, compost is great either store bought or homemade. You can save your compostable vegie and fruit peels and bits to add as a layer of the garden as you build new sections too. Leaves are good too, you can ask neighbors for the bags of dried leaves as they are cleaning the yard for spring. There is some discussion I have read that using Peat Moss increases the distruction of the Peat Bogs, maybe if you can find an inexpensive source for coir (coconut fiber) that would be a good substitute. I don't think I have ever read anything about how deep to make each layer. But most recommend that the entire bed area be 18"-24" deep to provide lots of room for the roots of your plants. There is also more info in this post from GardenStews past. http://www.gardenstew.com/about1010.html
Thank You Toni! I printed that out so I will have it when I am ready to do all of this. I already have compost pits going, and what I usually do is take that compost in the spring and put it in my garden, and then start a new batch for next year, and add all my trimmings, clippings, manures, etc all year long in to it. I do have an aged pile of horse manure, we will be using sparingly. It takes quite a number of years to "chill out". We learned that the hard way a few years ago. Killed just about everything we had planted. Sad year! We start our tomato & peppers from seeds, and have a greenhouse that they are raised in. Then another greenhouse that I will be doing "lasagna" in, along with an outside garden. For the last 2 years, I have been planting my potatoes in my compost pits, and they grow really nice and the skins are nice and they come out of the compost pile all clean. I enjoy digging in that new composted dirt - it just does something for my soul. Thanks for reminding me about the grass & fertilizer. I use Scotts Weed & Feed, so I would need to get the trimmings before I put that on the lawn, correct? Maybe I won't even use any of that this year. What would be a good alternative to peat moss? I don't know much about peat moss, and don't want to contribute to destruction of anything, except weeds! I will have to be on the lookout for coconut fiber, and head to the nursery for ideas. That can be bad though on the pocket book! ) I was wanting to get to the recycle center and pick up some cardboard and newspapers and get it down so these spring snows would soak them, but I have a feeling I am going to have plenty of snow along the way to do that. We are now at 1 foot of snow for today and forecast is for possibly another foot. Yikes, I had a hard time getting out to feed my horses this evening, can't imagine what tomorrow morning is going to be like. Oh well, more planning on the garden will be done tomorrow. Won't be able to go anywhere, might as well stay warm and maybe lay out a plan. This is a great site, glad I found it!
Montana gal -- have you been able to lay out your newspapers and cardboard yet? I got excited about trying this too. I am trying to beat invasive vines... hope it works. Good luck with your lasagne.
