By Katie Smith<\/strong> If you\u2019ve ever had a garden in Maine, you know our soil can pose some challenges. For many of us, deciding what to grow isn\u2019t the problem; it\u2019s navigating the rocky, acidic soil under our feet. Between the long winters, stubborn weeds, and compact soil, the thought of digging a new bed can feel arduous and take up more time than we want it to. The growing season is short here in Maine. Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if we could skip the digging step and get right to planting?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Well, we can. That\u2019s where lasagna gardening, also known as sheet composting, comes in. This method is great whether you\u2019re a new or experienced gardener. By using some materials you already have in your yard or garage, you can begin building (not digging) a garden bed right away. The idea behind lasagna gardening is to \u201cbuild up\u201d a rich soil bed by layering organic materials, just like the layers in a lasagna, versus tilling or digging up the ground. Lasagna gardens can start directly on the earth or be constructed in containers with drainage or bottomless frames.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By placing layers of organic material such as grass clippings, seaweed, leaves, newspaper, cardboard, coffee grounds, and food scraps, these natural materials break down into nutrient-rich soil over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 1. <\/strong>Getting started is easy. <\/strong>Lay down cardboard or newspaper directly on the ground where you want your garden bed. This can be over grass or soil. Once you\u2019re done, water lightly. The purpose of putting this material down is to block sunlight and existing weeds and grass so they don\u2019t invade your garden, which is a huge advantage and will cut way down on your weeding time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 2. <\/strong>Next, add a layer of \u201cgreens.\u201d Anything nitrogen-rich will work here: grass clippings, seaweed, vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, or plant trimmings. When you\u2019re done, water lightly. This layer helps feed the microorganisms that break everything down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 3. <\/strong>Add a layer of \u201cbrowns.\u201d Things like dried leaves, hay, straw, shredded paper, or small twigs come next. Water after you\u2019ve put down this layer. These \u201cbrowns\u201d help balance the moisture in your garden and give it support and structure. The best part is it helps you clean up your yard after our long winters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 4. <\/strong>Keep layering greens and browns, then watering, until you have a few layers of each and each pile is a few inches thick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 5. <\/strong>Finish your garden with a few inches of finished compost or garden soil. This last layer is your planting surface and introduces needed microbes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Over time, these \u201cgreen\u201d and \u201cbrown\u201d layers will decompose into loose, rich, fluffy soil. You can start this process in the fall, but beds can also be built and used for planting in the spring if you top with enough compost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our growing season in Maine is precious, and lasagna gardening offers a way to get to planting without digging, make healthy, nutrient-rich soil while cleaning up our yards and utilizing many of the organic materials we already have.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If you\u2019ve ever had a garden in Maine, you know our soil can pose some challenges. 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