i've been asked several times, by different people, about what's happening outside the front fence line at the garden .. well, folks, here it is .. we're using a popular no-dig technique called "lasagne gardening" .. what is lasagne gardening you might ask .. well, we're finding out .. few of us have created a bed this way before, so we're working at it and watching how it's all going to come together .. the idea is simple, really .. like a lasagne, the bed is built up in layers .. the first layer for us was cardboard, which we laid down and then happily let the rain drench thoroughly .. the idea is that the cardboard will suffocate the grass underneath as more layers are added .. the next layer was straw .. next seaweed .. we'll keep adding layers of different organic materials until the 'bed' reaches about 2 feet in height .. then, it will sit over the winter and be planted in the spring ..
this technique is not unlike how we build the compost in the three bin system we have .. i've been compost using a layering method for over fifteen years with great success, so i'm feeling pretty positive about the outcome of our first attempt at lasagne gardening ..
the kicker after that is that we will plant it exclusively with deer proof plants .. !! .. that will be the challenge, but one i think we're up to .. if you have any favourite deer proof perennials .. or shrubs .. maybe you could let us know ..
so keep posted .. i think there's lots to learn from this bed ..
