Building a no-dig garden bed (also referred to as "lasagna gardening", "sheet composting" or "sheet mulching") does not require any digging or cultivation of soil. No-dig garden beds can be built
anywhere, even on top of an existing lawn or concrete. They are easy to
assemble and only require minimal maintenance once established.
No-dig
garden beds can be constructed with or without edging. If you are using
timber edging, be sure to choose untreated timber.
To build a no-dig garden bed, simply layer several different organic materials on top of each other. There are many different ways of doing this. The following is just one example:
- Start off with by putting down four layers of cardboard or newspaper to suppress weeds.
- After that add a layer of wood chip (which acts as a carbon source).
- Next follows a green layer, e.g. grass clippings. This is a source of nitrogen.
- Then spread an activator, such as blood & bone or coffee grinds.
- The next layer consists of manure, e.g. well-rotted horse manure.
- Follow with a layer of mushroom compost (preferably organic).
- The topmost layer consists of compost.
Water all layers in well and compact each layer. You can plant immediately.
Over time, the organic materials in the garden bed will break down. To keep the bed's height, simply add new layers on top.
If you would like to learn more, you may be interested in our Organic Gardening eBook.