Comments on: The No-Dig Garden Experiment

By: eliz

eliz — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 02:48:48 +0000

I remember the mulch/compost forum on gardenweb used to have fascinating discussions of this. There were passionate arguments between the double-diggers and the layerers. And arguments about the term lasagna gardening. I have never tried it, and probably won’t but I like the concept. Of course, nothing works like a book says it will.

By: Daizy

Daizy — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 03:48:42 +0000

Great post! I’ve always used the lasagna method to start new beds on an area of lawn. I remove the lawn for a width of about a foot along the edge. Then I lay down 6-8 sheets of newspaper and cover the area with 4-6 inches of quality topsoil/compost. Works like a charm for me!

To find enough newspaper, I scavenge my neighbourhood on paper recycling day.

By: Garden Girl

Garden Girl — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 02:27:12 +0000

I love this idea! I have a concrete septic tank lid that is exposed too, and I’ve been trying to think what I might do to make it less obvious. A bird bath with a surrounding flowers is great idea.

By: Karen

Karen — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 19:14:24 +0000

I don’t know about no-dig – especially if you have clay. I am sort of trying this out in my parking strip garden, to varied success. Short-lived annual plants that don’t require a huge amount of water or wonderful soil do okay, the perennials and thirsty plants less so. Soil health is so crucial for so many plants (except the weeds, as you well know). I think you made a valiant effort but if it’s not working, maybe a different method next time will make everything happier.

By: Dee/reddirtramblings

Dee/reddirtramblings — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 18:56:57 +0000

Most of my garden experiments result in frustration before success. You’ve done everyone a favor by showing weedless gardening worked or didn’t for you and how to remedy it.~~Dee

By: Shady Gardener

Shady Gardener — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 03:52:30 +0000

I am used to creating “berms.” We have good heavy clay soils around here… the type you have to jump onto your shovel in order to dig. Anyway, I just lay down layers of newspaper onto the grass/weeds, etc. and top it with inches of soil. I plant into this soil and mulch.

In my shady beds, my Fall system consists of loosening the soil around the plants with my garden fork, adding a thin layer of composted soil and mulching thinly with hardwood mulch. Then I’ll shred my oak leaves for Winter mulch which is removed in the Spring. I often rake in a bit more dirt and sparse layer of mulch in the Spring, and I hardly see weeds.

I do nearly the same with all my other beds as well. Don’t know that this helps anyone, but… I appreciate your post!! Thank you for sharing your experiences as well as the evolution of your flower bed.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:36:52 +0000

Hi Kathy,
I’m grateful for this post, too, since I smothered a big patch of grass this summer but ended up needing to dig out all the dead roots underneath because it seemed dangerous to leave them in there (the evil creepers!). I don’t have enough compost to pile on a 12′ x 6′ bed, either. So I was thinking back to those “cardboard as mulch” posts and wondering why I was working so hard! My question is this: what about when you want to plant something that needs a decent-sized hole? Just dig through the cardboard? Is it supposed to eventually decompose and become part of the soil?
Having seen it up close, I think it’s a darned nice bed, and lovely for a pretty accent like the birdbath–great idea. My favorites might be those chipmunk-planted sunflowers though
Thanks as always for sharing your knowledge.

By: Anna

Anna — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 05:56:10 +0000

I used newspaper just this past spring in my new beds. It was a disaster. The termites loved it. My husband panicked and got rid of the whole mess. So I guess it shouldn’t be used up next to the house.

By: TC

TC — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:47:48 +0000

I used the “cover with newspaper and mulch” method some time ago for a small zinnia bed. I did no digging and just put it down right on top of sod and all the grass and weeds that happened to be growing there. The next spring, it was ready for planting and we sowed zinnias which did marvelous. I no longer use that spot and the area has been reclaimed with all the grass and weeds that were there before.

My point: no matter which method you use, it will still require upkeep and maintenance because that’s just the way it is. But I’m sure you already know this. ;~)

By: Jenny Patterson

Jenny Patterson — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 23:54:30 +0000

I have used this method for a few years now. I collect cardboard from where ever I can, boxes from the grocery store, from behind the appliance store etc. I actually lucked out in the last couple of years, a friend works at a place that puts tires on rims for 4 wheelers. When they get the tires in they are packed with 4 x 8 sheets of cardboard in between them. He now brings the cardboard home for me!!
Anyway, I outline my bed, dig a 4″ deep trench for the border, toss the sod I have dug out into the bed, level it a bit, and put 2 or 3 layers of cardboard over the top. On top of this I pile all the organics I can, usually lawn clippings and leaves from the yard. I keep piling it up all through the fall, right now I have 2 new beds going, the pile is about 12″ and next spring I plant in it.
I have a number of beds in my yard that I started like this. After the original planting, I maintain the beds by piling the mulch on, between the plants.
IMHO it’s the best way to garden!
Jenny p