Expanding Garden Beds, Chemical-free

If each year you find yourself trying to squeeze more plants into less space, it may just be time to expand one or more of your planting beds.

Start with a sketch of your garden and include the existing beds.  Look at how you currently use the space and where there is room to expand.

Once outside, lay out a rope or garden hose to help you further visualize and determine the final size and shape of the expanded garden.  Then get out a shovel and start edging.  This creates a clean division between the lawn and your garden.  It also cuts the roots and rhizomes, preventing outside support for the grass and weeds you are trying to kill.

Use newspaper and organic mulch to kill the existing grass without the use of chemicals.  Spread a couple sheets of newspaper over the grass and anchor in place with shredded leaves, woodchips or other organic mulch.

Over time the grass will die and the newspaper will decompose, adding organic matter to the soil.

A bit more information:  You can plant your expanded garden immediately, but it will be hard digging as you push the shovel through the newspaper or cardboard mulch and dead grass.  Or wait a few months for the grass and newspaper to decompose.  It will be easier digging for you.

Tags

sustainable-gardening edging garden-landscape-design shredded-leaves

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