January 25, 2020
Winter has finally arrived in North Idaho. I know this because the daytime high is below 30, the low is in the teens and there is snow falling. Although a nice mild winter is always pleasant, colder weather is a good thing. Freezing temperatures are necessary for things we may not think much about. For example, frozen ground allows loggers to continue to work through the winter as it helps stabilize roadbeds. Freezing temperatures are necessary for some flower bulbs and can help keep some insect pests in check. We need it to keep the mountain snow from melting too fast and the lower valley ground from heaving too much.
Still, like most gardeners, I am anxious for spring. For me, the best way to navigate through the final weeks of winter is to make plans for the garden and other planting spaces, buy seeds, plant herbs and forced flowers in the warm room, and make sure all my tools are ready to go.
Over the last two years, my large (20’ x 60’) garden has failed to flourish. Some of it was due to time constraints, but I think the bigger problem may have been a lack of proper soil care. In the last two seasons, I have been looking at both Lasagna style gardening and a close relative, Back to Eden gardening.
The Back to Eden or Lasagna gardening idea certainly is not new. Lasagna Gardening, by Patricia Lanza, was published back in 1998. Paul Gautschi has several videos on YouTube tracking his journey to establishing an Eden garden. I will be writing an article on this method for the March CO-OP Round Up complete with plans and commentary from locals who have used this method.
I have tilled my garden spot and worked in calcium, composted leaves, and manure for about 10 years with excellent success producing enough for my family and to give away. But something happened two years ago. The soil began to get packed down and would not receive water. Eventually, nothing would grow, the tomato leaves would not unfurl, and even my beloved sunflowers would not take hold. So this year I am going to do something different. I am going back to Eden.
Last year I failed to get the leaves picked up off of my lawn. It is just as well as I am going to need them!
This spring, the plan is pretty simple: No rototilling! I will create garden spaces by laying down thick sheets of newspaper to manage weed growth from beneath. Next, layer 4-6” of composted leaves and grass on top, then a layer of peat moss followed by 6-8” of horse and chicken manure composted with sawdust. When this ‘lasagna’ is in place, it will be time to plant seed or bedding plants and add a good watering.
Some people will go back and add a final layer of wood chips to the planted area. If I have enough from the winter pruning, I will do this but specific wood chips are used, like fruit trees and shrub pruning. Pine tree chippings are not recommended unless around acid-loving plants, but even that can be mitigated for soil health and balance.
This will be an adventure in gardening and will likely come with a learning curve. The hope is that I will have a better garden with better production, use less water, and get the soil beneath the garden healthy again.