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+