Filling Lasagna Bed

by Ellen Peavey
(Colbert, Georgia)

I have a big lasagna bed that is empty now and I have started filling it with dry donkey manure. How many inches should I put in this bed before I start adding other things? Should straw be next? Thank you Ellen

Comments for Filling Lasagna Bed

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Oct 17, 2011
 Filling Lasagna Bed
by: Kiwi George

Hi Ellen. Lucky you to have lots of donkey manure but after 10 years of No Dig gardening I have found it advisable to put some coarse (drainage) material in first, then 15cm(6")of straw/hay,wet it well,(very important as dry material does not rot quickly) then same amount of manure, water again, thin layer of seaweed or blood and bone if you have any, straw/hay, manure, water until the bed is over full as it will settle down as the straw etc rots. I have found it best to cover the bed to keep my pesky blackbirds from tossing it all over my garden and to control the amount of moisture for optimum breakdown(moist not wet)of the material.
Happy No-Digging
George
Oct 19, 2011
 Lasgana Bed
by: Ellen

Thanks George I do have wet hay and wet straw will put a layer down as soon as it stops raining. I have lots of Golden Nuggets from Buford my donkey have started two new compost piles will be ready for the garden next spring.
Oct 24, 2011
 lasagna layers
by: Karla

Buford the donkey sounds a nice friend, wish I had a donkey to help my garden!!@
I only have a pocket sized garden and in 1 corner i chuck scraps and dry cut bracken from country-side car trips. I have to buy sheep pellets for manure as there are no farms nearby, just concrete, roads with weeds and bracken, then more houses, factories, more weeds and not a farm animal in sight.
You do need some dry plants to even out the wet ingredients and manure. Mine works very well, even surprises me 'cos i'm a new gardener really. Love this site, Ellen there's so much advice on what to do, so in-between mucking out Bufords shelter, keep reading wot's on here. Raised beds, lasagne, manure. It's a whole new world for me to get in touch with nature.
Oct 25, 2011
 Lasgana Bed
by: Ellen from Georgia

I really like gardening and now have more time I'm retired. What green plants should I put in the lasagna bed for the winter? I was thinking rye grass or some kind of cover crop? Any suggestions?
Apr 06, 2012
 COVER CROPS NEW
by: BOBBY

TO ELLEN,Iplanted lots of musterd turnip greens over the winter, enjoyed some,then turned rest under,then threw some left over decayed leaves,and coffee grounds on top,let sit for 3 weeks wow lots of WORMSSSS DOING THERE THING,CAN PLANT THERE APRIL 15TH,
Apr 07, 2012
 Lasgana Bed NEW
by: Ellen from Georgia

Thanks Bobby for the information, I used red clover and it worked. This year I put a layer of dirt and then a layer of wet goat straw and then some leaves. There are plenty of worms in the bed now. My other raised beds have romaine lettuce, broccoli, kale, swiss chard, spinach and onions and shallots all are up and growing. Here in Georgia we have had such a warm spring, even put my jack beans in the ground.

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