| Are you like me where you have a lot more | | | | Layer Three: Another layer of 2"-3" of peat moss |
| desire than time? That's always been a challenge | | | | or your chosen alternative. |
| in my life, so I've developed hundreds of little | | | | Layer Four: Add another layer of 4"-8" of organic |
| shortcuts that help me achieve just about | | | | material. Be creative using what you have around |
| everything I want in my life. One of those is a | | | | your place. Compost is great or if this is a small |
| productive vegetable garden from scratch in less | | | | patch, you can purchase good quality planting soil. |
| than a couple hours. Here's how I do it! | | | | Layer Five: Another layer of 2"-3" of peat moss |
| First, decide what you want from your garden. | | | | or an alternative. |
| And then decide the size and placement. It | | | | Layer Six: A layer of 4"-8" of grass clippings |
| doesn't matter where, because this method is so | | | | would be great here! They will warm the soil and |
| simple that just about anyone can create a great | | | | provide valuable nutrients. |
| garden in any sunny location. | | | | Layer Seven: Another layer of 2"-3" of peat |
| When you have your garden site staked out, | | | | moss or an alternative. |
| cover the area with a layer of cardboard, | | | | Layer Eight: A layer of chopped leaves, compost |
| preferably that with little printing on it. It doesn't | | | | or other seasoned organic matter would be good |
| matter what's growing under the cardboard. The | | | | here. Your plants' roots will touch this layer so you |
| thick surface and lack of light will kill it. After | | | | don't want it "hot." Again, you could use purchased |
| you've covered the ground with the cardboard, | | | | soil for this layer. |
| wet it down really well. | | | | By now, you will likely have the 18" that you |
| By the way, I get my cardboard from the back | | | | need. If not, continue to make layers. |
| of grocery stores. They have lots of flattened | | | | While this may sound like a lot of work, you will |
| boxes all piled up ready for the town recycle | | | | be surprised at how quickly your instant garden |
| company to come and haul away. The good news | | | | comes together. Also, it definitely beats digging, |
| is that they are eager to give the cardboard | | | | removing sod or weeds, enhancing the soil and |
| away to folks like me because otherwise they | | | | then pulling weeds all season! |
| have to pay to have the bundles hauled. So I get | | | | Seed Tape: One of the great ways to save time, |
| a nice, neat stack of the flattened boxes and | | | | money and your back from aching is to prepare |
| keep them at my home. Whenever I want to | | | | your own seed tape. This is a narrow strip of |
| plant a garden, they're ready. If I need to toss | | | | very thin paper marked in ¼" increments |
| them, I can always take them to the recycle and | | | | for ease of use. Just unroll a length of the paper |
| drop them off for free! | | | | on your kitchen counter and glue any seed of |
| Now your next step is what's called "Lasagna | | | | your choice on the paper strip with water soluble |
| Gardening," a technique made popular by Patricia | | | | glue. When the seed tape is dry, take it to your |
| Lanza in her book by the same title. It's layering | | | | garden and cover with seed following the |
| various kinds of organic matter to form a fertile | | | | directions on your seed packet! It's so easy! Seed |
| bed for immediate planting! You want to create | | | | tape is designed especially for seeds that should |
| about 18" of layered material for best results, | | | | be planted directly in the soil such as lettuce, |
| although I have done much less with acceptable | | | | radishes, onion, beets, carrots and other root |
| success for the first year. | | | | vegetables. You can also make seed tape by |
| Layer One: You want to start with a layer of | | | | cutting strips of newspaper or paper toweling. |
| 2"-3" of peat moss. More and more gardeners | | | | Transplanting: Purchase vegetable starts from |
| use alternative products these days since there is | | | | your local garden store including tomatoes, |
| an environmental issue with peat moss (it's | | | | peppers, herbs, onion sets, and insect deterring |
| non-renewable). Check out what might be | | | | flowers such as marigolds. I just buy six packs |
| available at your garden center, or use sawdust | | | | and plant them as soon as the soil and conditions |
| or compost instead. | | | | are warm enough. |
| Layer Two: Now you'll need 4"-8" of organic | | | | That's it! Quick and easy. Now you merely water |
| material such as barn litter or shredded leaves. I | | | | and wait for the produce since there will be |
| live on a small farm, so I just clean out the goat | | | | minimal weeding with this method. |
| barn and use the litter in the garden. It doesn't | | | | Take advantage of this easy and fast way to |
| matter that it isn't "seasoned" because it never | | | | grow your own vegetables this year! Save |
| touches the roots of my plants. This is also like a | | | | money at the grocery store and feel safe about |
| "sheet composting," so while the litter serves the | | | | the food you are eating when you plant this easy, |
| garden needs, it is breaking down and composting. | | | | organic method of instant vegetable gardening! |