I have a new garden that has been neglected for quite a while. It has previously been a vegygarden and I want to return it as such. I though I should start preparing now (also so I can make a start anyway, otherwise nothing will happen). Should I just cover the grass up with newspaper and something to hold it down, or should I use plastic. Or should I just dig it all up and pull the weeds out. I thought it would be best to wait with that last one uintil the rains start again, which can probably take another month or two. There seems to be enough "life" in the garden, as the grass has grown tall, so I don't think I need to add many more nutrients or organic matter as the grass should do this as it decomposes. However, there is a compost heap that I can use. So I need some advise on where to start. I don't want too much work at the one time, so simple steps I can perform seperatly would be best thanks
I have used both newspaper and cardboard to shut out light to the weeds, and I will never use newspaper again. Cut down or mash down your weeds/grass, lay down the cardboard (overlap edges), then cover with anything you can get hold of: moldy hay, straw, leaves, manure, weeds, etc. If you can, I would water before laying down the cardboard. Try to mulch as deeply as you can -- 20cm is a good amount to aim for. And be aware that mulch shrinks. Try to keep a lookout for more mulch. If you can keep it fairly deep, you will discourage most weeds and grasses. Sue
If the pre-existing beds are established according to a layout that works for you, I'd suggest weeding the beds proper, followed by a good layer of mulch as already described. I'm not sure of your location, but if you're presently in a dry season, probably best to hold off working the beds until the rains begin, and the ground softens: aside from the downside of working dry soil, the roots of weeds tend to break off in dry ground, and you'll be dealing with the same weed again. You could spread the compost over the beds, in a layer beneath the mulch, or alternately, double dig it in as per the biointensive technique. Much depends on your chosen approach: if you prefer no dig, you would begin sheet composting as already described, and there's much additional information on this to be found on the forum. Personally, I have found it most efficient to simply double dig my veggie beds initially (this would include resurrecting an old garden), adding compost, followed by a no dig approach, with successive applications of mulch: for me, usually as simple as baggings from cutting the grass (minding if the lawn/grass is pesticide/herbicide free). It's less work/effort for me than the process of sheet composting: the reverse would be true if the ground in question was not already worked into a bed. Hope some of this is good fodder for your efforts.
If you are in a high growth area for grass and have the time and patience...put some sheets of corrugated iron over the bed to kill off the grass...leave them in place for a month if possible. Can usually get some old ones from the local tip...or a neighbours farm if rural. Then just mulch over the dead grass and away you go. A chook tractor over the old bed is another great way to prepare a bed...again leave chooks in place for 3-4 weeks...cover with a layer of mulch and beds are ready. cheers Cathy
