Sheet composting, also referred to as lasagna gardening, is a traditional method that is often employed to increase the size of the borders of perennial gardens or transform an area of lawn into a garden. For urban gardens that have soil that is contaminated or poor It’s also a fantastic method of filling an area raised with a nutritious growing soil for vegetables. A lot of heavy feeders such as peppers and tomatoes will enjoy this rich in nutrients garden. The fall season is the best time for this, because of the numerous fallen leaves – a vital ingredient — is a great time to start. Here’s how.

Create the frame.

It is possible to alter the dimensions depending on the space you have. A bed that is four by eight feet that is between two and three feet in height generally is a suitable size. If soil testing reveal some form of contamination, apply an area of landscaping fabric to stop roots from forming in the soil that is contaminated, but allowing air and water flow. Be sure to use non-pressure-treated lumber.

Place your base.

Start by laying a layer of cardboard at the bottom of the bed. It will be broken down slowly as it takes on plants and soaks up water. Cut up branches, twigs, and hedge trims in 1-inch pieces, and then layer them 4 inches thick on top of the cardboard. This will ensure excellent drainage for the bed. Include an eight-inch layer of straw or fallen leaves, and then sprinkle water on your bed.

Continue adding layers.

Then, spread two inches of manure that has been well-rotted or compost. Add about 4 inches of clippings from grass or other yard waste, mingled with coffee grounds and salad greens. grounds. (Avoid mixing in other kitchen scraps because they can attract rodents as well as other animals.) You can cover this with a soft eight-inch layer of leaves or straw. After that, you can start over and layer compost, brown material and other greens until your bed is fully covered. Then, water once more, and allow it to decay over winter.

Planting is a must.

If spring is coming and you’ll see that the bed is shrinking by a lot, you can simply add more soil to fill it back up. At the time of planting, you can add an inch of soil and then plant your garden. A small amount of organic fertilizer, such as Blood meal and fish emulsion, could provide a boost. Water deeply.

Repeat it!

At the time that you’ve harvested all of the crops in the fall, a lot of organic matter has decayed, lowering the amount considerably. In order to get your garden ready for next year’s planting, you can start with the same process with just the base of cardboard.