Lasagna gardening layered organic materials (newspaper, cardboard, compost, leaves) directly on grass to create no-till, no-dig garden beds.

The Method

Build a lasagna bed: choose location (sunny spot, even over lawn), lay cardboard/newspaper (smothers grass, blocks weeds), add alternating layers of browns (leaves, straw, shredded paper) and greens (grass clippings, compost, manure), water each layer, top with finished compost (2-4 inches).

Let it decompose 2-6 months, or plant immediately into top compost layer. The layers break down into rich soil, no tilling required.

Patricia Lanza

Patricia Lanza’s “Lasagna Gardening” (1998, reissued 2009) popularized the method. Her approach: minimal work, use whatever organic materials available, and let decomposition do the work.

The appeal: convert lawn to garden bed without back-breaking sod removal or tilling.

Carbon/Nitrogen Balance

Like composting, lasagna gardening relies on carbon (browns) and nitrogen (greens) balance. Too much carbon = slow decomposition. Too much nitrogen = slimy, smelly layers.

The cardboard layer: thick enough to smother grass (3-4 layers minimum), but avoid glossy/colored cardboard (inks may contain heavy metals).

Source

• Patricia Lanza: “Lasagna Gardening” (1998, reissued 2009)
• GardenWeb forums: lasagna garden threads (August 2010+)
• No-dig/lasagna garden overlap: 2014+