A generous layer of dead leaves, twigs, and fertilizer may not look appetizing to you, but it is to your plants. This mixture produces nitrogen and carbon, providing your baby plants with all the essential nutrients. And this deliberate layering of organic matter is called “lasagna gardening,” which, if you haven't guessed already, has nothing to do with the popular Italian dish.
But it has everything to do with sustainable gardening. The best part is, you don't even have to go to the store to incorporate this method into your garden. Here, experts explain what lasagna gardening is and how you can get started with it.
Niamke Shropshire Boykin, regenerative soil and geoscientist at Rosie Soil
What is Lasagna Gardening?
“Lasagna gardening is an organic form of sheet mulching that focuses on building up both the soil's carbon and nitrogen layers in the soil layers,” says Niamke Shropshire Boykin, soil science advisor at Rosie Soil. The process typically involves placing a layer of cardboard or newspaper on top of the soil or lawn, then putting mulch on top of that. It's considered a no-till gardening method, so it's super easy and requires very little maintenance.
How to Make a Lasagna Garden
The most appealing thing about lasagna gardening is that the materials are accessible to everyone. “Typically, dead tree parts (leaves, bark, twigs, stems, roots), newspapers, and cardboard are good carbon sources, while food remains such as coffee grounds, animal droppings, fresh grass and tree cuttings are good nitrogen sources,” says Niamke. By giving these materials a second life, you're helping the environment do what it does best: recycle.
The key is to get the layers right. Niamke warns that if the layers aren't layered properly, your lasagna garden could attract pests. That means you need to balance carbon and nitrogen. “Try to add more carbon than nitrogen in a ratio of 4:1,” Niamke says. “Lay carbon on top of nitrogen. If you make the carbon layer too thick, it will decompose more slowly. Imagine a lasagna garden like baking a cake: you need the right balance of carbon and nitrogen to ensure decomposition.”
Of course, do not add non-organic materials such as laminated newspapers or treated wood.
How long does lasagna gardening take?
Although the process is fairly simple, lasagna gardening takes time: According to the Oregon State University Extension Service, it will take at least six months before you're ready to plant anything.
Niamke advises: “Don't wait until the growing season to start preparing your soil. In the wise words of George Washington Carver, 'Start your composting now. Don't delay. Spend every spare moment raking leaves in the forest or building muck in the swamp.'” This is because each layer of organic matter needs time to break down, he explains. This process doesn't happen instantly, but you can speed it up by plucking leaves, breaking twigs, and chopping food scraps into small pieces. The smaller the size of the materials, the faster they will decompose.
