{July 15th, 2021}
It’s been about a month since I started my lasagna garden so I thought I’d give you an update and show you how the lasagna garden is progressing. Temperatures have been between the mid 70’s to mostly mid 80’s here in coastal Maine this past month so working in the garden has been a little hit and miss at times.
If it’s too hot, I just hang out inside and hook rugs or work online. But on the days when the temperatures are mild enough {or of there is a nice breeze} I like to spend all my time outside in the garden playing in the dirt.
My #1 goal with this whole lasagna garden experiment is to create a rich growing medium for next year’s vegetables, without spending a dime. You know, kind of like how they did it in the old days. 😉
{July 16th, 2021}
I’m hoping that by documenting the whole process here on the blog, next year I’ll be able to look back and see:
- How long it took to build the lasagna garden.
- Exactly what I used to create the lasagna garden with {layer by layer}.
- How long it took for the items in the lasagna garden to break down.
- How well plants grew in the lasagna garden vs our regular vegetable plot.
{July 21st, 2021}
I started the lasagna garden using what cardboard I had on hand {to snuff out the grass and weeds below} by placing the cardboard down in the middle of our field {that used to be wooded several years ago}. I then added a layer of grass clippings, followed by a layer of seaweed.
The original size of the lasagna garden was 11′ x 10 1/2′.
{August 6th, 2021}
But then we ordered some stuff online and had a bunch of giant boxes to deal with and so much to my husband’s horror, I expanded the lasagna garden. To about triple of it’s original size. 🙂 🙂 🙂
{August 10th, 2021}
My husband hates the look of the lasagna garden. Said it looks like GARBAGE from the road. He’s embarrassed by the unsightliness of the whole thing and wonders what the neighbors must think.
I just roll my eyes every time he makes a comment and then I tell him how I’m sure all the old timers driving by think we’re probably super clever for trying to “make” free “soil” out of nothing and isn’t that what New Englanders are known for? Their thriftiness?
{August 12th, 2021}
Yada yada yada…
And so once I had the base layers {cardboard, grass clippings, seaweed} on the newly expanded section, it was time to haul out the wood chipper {the HH, not me, apparently I’m not allowed to use it} and start making mulch for the next layer.
{August 16th, 2021}
My poor husband. I bet winter can’t come soon enough for him. 🙂
So far the layers of my lasagna garden are:
- Cardboard
- Grass Clippings
- Seaweed
- Random stuff like kitchen compost, plant material, dryer lint, dirt and Lucy fur from the vacuum
- Mulch
- Grass Clippings {I’m still working on this layer}
- Seaweed {I’m still working on this layer}
The lasagna garden. It’s getting there! And I’m having a blast with this project. I figure I have at least 2 more months to continue building up layers before the first frost hits.
If all goes as planned, I should have the whole thing at least a foot high by then. Who knows, maybe I’ll even get it to a foot and a half. 🙂
Keep Calm and Carry On,
~Mavis
Marie says
Maybe a sign lasagna garden in progress.
Then HH doesn’t have to hide under the huge pine when cars drive by.
debbie in alaska says
lol 🙂
Mavis Butterfield says
Hilarious!
Lonnie says
But then people will stop and ask how you grow lasagna and if you will be selling it by the roadside?!?
Mavis Butterfield says
Excellent point.
GrannyB says
You could just have a sign Future Garden in process.
Mel says
My husband and I have often considered a “Mind Your Business” sign for our yard. But we have no backyard, so all our projects are on display to the neighborhood. My favorite was when my husband was searching for our septic tank a few months back…by just digging holes across our lawn. Our dog kept falling in the holes and needing to be fished out, and you could feel the judgment radiating off of passerby.
Mrs HB says
I was thinking the same thing !!!!
Elle says
LOVE IT! If I had open land left, I’d be playing with you. Although here, it’s been 95-105 for nearly 6 weeks 😉 And not a tomato in sigh 🙁
Brianna says
You should rent him a cherry picker in November to decorate that fir tree with lights for Christmas. I am not sure where it is located on your property, but it is perfect and screaming to be decorated.
Kim says
Lasagna garden: go big or go home.
Marcia says
Am I the only one who saw “lasagna garden” and thought: “Oh, she’s growing tomatoes, garlic, onion, eggplant, peppers, and basil”.
No? Just me?
Dianne says
Lasagna garden sounds like what they call “cover crops” which you plant in fall through winter to enhance your soil! I can’t wait to your veggies next year! I think they will love it. Oh yes, what will those neighbors think.
Emily E. says
Hi Mavis,
I love that you’re doing a lasagna garden. I have question about the wood chipping process. I have a wood chipper but it seems like it takes a long time to get even a small pile of mulch/wood chips. Have you noticed or has HH complained that it’s a time-consuming process? My chipper takes branches up to 3 inches in diameter. Thanks!
Patty Mayhew says
I think your going to end up with some terrific soil next year. I can’t wait to see how it turns out some great vege’s for you! Wish I had access to all that seaweed!
Diana says
Check out the YT channel Simple Living Alaska. Their outdoor gardens are all lasagna gardens and they’re doing wonderful every year. They also pile on chicken manure to help the layers ‘cook’. Too bad you don’t have any chickens yet, lol…
Karolyn says
Lovely pictures, especially his horror at the expansion!! I can totally relate and I did this in the back 3rd of our front yard this year… just as we got new neighbors. I apologized to the mail carrier 🙂