Lasagna Garden/Straw Bale Garden Plan

Every year I promise myself not to have too many gardens and every year I push that promise. There is no doubt I am garden addicted. This year I have three gardens and I know there will be containers scattered about the yard. But over all this is not a bad number of gardens, for me. ว่านนางคุ้ม
Creative Commons License photo credit: 【╠╣♥ŃEҰ】

My largest garden is 25 foot by 30 foot and is set up to be as easy of a garden to maintain as possible. This is my Lasagna Garden/Straw bale garden combination. I have combined the two garden techniques to simplify my gardens and improve the soil in this older garden bed.

This area is also fenced, which in my backyard has become a necessity in the last few years with rabbits and groundhogs.

To start my garden I have put down cardboard over the entire garden area that I picked up free at a local store. I chose cardboard over newspaper to make sure I had all the sod covered well enough to stop its growth.

My next step was to pick up old sawdust and leaves. The sawdust came from a local bat mill and the leaves were picked up on a weekend cleaning the township offered. I layered the leaves down first in a 8 inch layered and then added the older sawdust in a 6 inch layer. I topped the layers off with sheep manure and watered lightly.

Later today I will top the mixture off with fresh grass clippings and straw.

My next step will be to plan the straw bale garden areas. I plan on making 3 square bale garden areas for the gourds and melons. I will also have a moss covered flower tier from straw bales to make the garden area fun and my last straw bales garden will actually be for vegetables and herbs.

After I have decided where to place the straw bales, I will begin to treat them for planting. Also at that time I will decide where I want my other lasagna garden area in my fenced garden area and slay out the plans for them. I will raise this area with more composting materials to create my lasagna garden growing areas in a raised bed fashion.

More plans and photos will follow for my lasagna garden/straw bale garden as the garden takes shape.

My other gardens include the small space $20 dollar recession garden and my perennial gardening bed for new perennial flowers and herbs.

If you are using the straw bale gardening method or lasagna gardening method let me know how your garden is doing.

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Comments

4 responses to “Lasagna Garden/Straw Bale Garden Plan”

  1. Sounds like a great plan- and 3 gardens is not too many! Of course I would say the same of 100 gardens- I guess I’m obsessed as well…ya think?

    Tessa at Blunders with shoots, blossoms ‘n roots’s last blog post..Monday Seedling Update

  2. Denise

    Hi Tessa,

    I am afraid at least one more garden will sneak in. One year I had 13 gardens and that was too many. I didn’t have time to enjoy them.

    And yes, I have to admit, there probably is not such a thing as too many gardens…. just not enough hours in a day!

  3. I’m trying my hand at straw bale gardening this year. I love that it’s not labor intensive, but I don’t love the cost of fertilizer. I’m doing it organically so I’m not even sure if I’ve got the correct ratios of things down right. The bales are warm inside so that’s a good sign at least.

    I put the plants and seeds in this afternoon so we’ll see….

    I’d love to see and hear how other people’s straw bales are faring. Mine is the guinea pig around here. 🙂

    MamaBear’s last blog post..Season Premier UPDATED

  4. Good luck and definitely post on how the straw bale garden is doing.

    And yes, straw bale gardening is easier in many ways! Denise

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