Don't dig up the sod, just lay the cardboard over it and wet it completely, then start layering your above items, can you get any leaves to add to it? After each layer, wet it down, add the next layer. You really don't need to build a support wall, it will stay in place. Add coffee grounds if you have them, the thickness will depend on how thick you want it, because it will shrink over time.
Hope that helped some, at least now you know you don't have to dig out sod, :)
Alberta

Good to know!
So I wont flip the sod.

A few questions now.

How thick between layers? Like 1 inch, or like 3-6 inches?

Does anyone know if just grass and pine needles are sufficient?

I have unlimited cardboard as well, but it seems like a pain to shred it all...

I also have mulch, but it was store purchased, so i would rather use free materials.

ONE MORE QUESTION!

If i add to much grass clippings or too much coffee grinds, will the nitrogen reduce my pepper pod growth?

Don't shred the cardboard! It is supposed to smother the grass or whatever is growing where you want to make a bed.

The shredded cardboard would be to supplement the brown in the layers.

I know to leave the bottom cardboard in tact :)

Pepper Rancher,

In my experience, the more diverse the ingredients in my lasagna bed/compost, the better the performance of my plants. While I am sure you can make a lasagna bed using the items you have named, comments have been made on the forum about the acidity of pine needles if used in access. It is for this reason I have limited my use of the needles, putting more energy into getting leaves for both my compost piles and lasagna beds. The leaf is more endowed with nutrients and breaks down faster in my experience. Also, it is for this reason I stockpile leaves during the autumn and concentrate building my lasagna beds during the latter part of the year.

I strive to make each level/layer at least three (3) inches thick, with a minimum height for twenty-two (22) inches (some members admit heights of less with success). Alternating between greens/browns when building is effective, with the last layer being a brown (usually leaves or spoiled hay). I have read that the glue used in making cardboard does have nitrogen (green) in it, thus this could be kept in mind (recalling your statement about grass) when using shredded cardboard. IMO, nothing is a better carbon source than shredded leaves (maple/oak-loaded with nutrients), with old spoiled hay a close second. If you can find a tree trimming/cutting service that has ground up tree trunks or shredded/chipped branches (for free and of small diameter), these items have been used as a brown as well. Animal manures (cow, horse, sheep, goat, chicken, rabbit) are prized by some members, with others avoiding them completely. Again, the more diverse the ingredients the less need for additional ingredients (alfalfa meal, bone meal, seaweed) during the growing season, if at all.

Looking around ones environment may turn up more materials than realized in the beginning. Asking neighbors and friends for help (materials) has been of benefit for this gardener, and the payback with fresh vegetables always welcomed. I trust this helps in some way, for that is my goalÂ

Blutranes

thanks everyone! im really new to growing stuff, but im glad i have this community to turn to with my questions!
Im ready to get started on the project today! in fact, i think i will take pictures and records to help anyone that may be going through simmilar first time startup jitters!
stay tuned for updates!

If you have not spent much time with a really good online tutorial on Lasagna Gardening you may want to look at this one.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lasagna Gardening 101

"Im ready to get started on the project today! in fact, i think i will take pictures and records to help anyone that may be going through simmilar first time startup jitters!"

One of my favorite posts concerning lasagna beds can be found using the link below. The members' imagination continues to bring motivation/joy to many...

Blutranes

Here is a link that might be useful: The First Book of the Lasagna Bed

g'day pepper,

no need for any digging keep it simple hey.

look at our pictures an description on our site there may be some ideas there for you.

it all works for us

len

Here is a link that might be useful: len's garden page

Im well on my way! Im taking photos, and I will put together a scrapbook for everyone to see.
I started with the cardboard, layered grass clippings, then ground pine needles, then shredded cardboard.
I decided this wasnt enough volume, so I added some non ground pine needles. Then I added another layer of grass clippings.
At this point I got on a huge sidetrack, because I decided I needed a frame around it, so I left to go to home depot to buy some wood.
I plan to make this thing really deep.

So far I only have GRASS, PINE NEEDLE, and shredded CARDBOARD... I will add any veggie scraps and coffe grinds etc as I go, but do I NEED to go to the store and purchase something to diversify these layers more?

I still have room to add plenty of layers, so lemme know what you think.

QUESTION 1: Should I COMPACT the layers or leave them loose?

QUESTION 2: Is there some safe product I can use to treat and dye the wood so it will last longer and look nicer? (without poisoning me down the line)

QUESTION 3: Should I add manure purchased from a store into the mix?

QUESTION 4: Can I put soil on the top layer so it looks nice? Or should i put (wood) mulch on the top layer?

QUESTION 5: Do i need to diversify my layers more?

Congratulations on the start of your journey, I do look forward to seeing your pictures.

1. No, the bed will shrink on its own. Some members suggest not walking on the beds.

2. I like natural; I have no experience with using dyes.

3. Free manure would be my choice, however, if you have no alternative a gardener will do what they have to do.

4. The bed will turn into organic soil on its own; my first choice would be leaves, however, wood mulch will work but take longer to break down.

5. Yes, if you can.

Sounds like you are well on your wayÂ

Blutranes

Sounds like you need more green stuff. Got any green leaves you can strip off branches? Hedge trimmings, flower trimmings? Check with neighbors too. Restaurants will let you have kitchen veggie trimmings too.

The produce guys at the grocery store will often give you the wilted produce they have to pull from the racks - lettuces, carrots, beets, etc. If all else fails a bag of alfalfa pellets from the feed store is cheap and pure green.

Dave

Thanks for your replys. I have finished the frame, i have never sweat so much in my life... it is SOO HOT OUTSIDE.
I was going to do 1 foot walls, but i settled on 6 inch walls.
Now i need to add more layers.
So far its:
1.Cardboard
2.Grass clippings
3.Ground pine needles mixed w/ shredded cardboard
4.more grass clippings

Next I will put some manure... I remember seeing chicken pooh at lowes...

Is there any particular animal type pooh that I should be looking for?

The problem with pine needles is the protective coating they have that is difficult for the bacteria to break them down. Pine needles create no more problems, other than that, than do any other materials. The bacteria that are going to digest the material also need air to function so your layers need to be loose enough to allow air infiltration but not so loose that that air prevents the bacteria from working. Soil can be added but it does not offer any great advantage and can contribute to lessening air infiltration is too much is added or is too wet.
Most all dyed mulches are distracting to the eye so I would not dye my mulches and you would not want to add anything that would make "the wood so it will last longer and look nicer?" since tthat kind of thing would disrupt the soil bacteria which would be detrimental to the health of your soil. You can add manure you purchase at a garden center if you need an additional Nitrogen source. The manure would be better than a synthetic fertilizer for that purpose. If at all possible find many more types of materails to compost. The more diverse that material you compost the better your compost will be.

kimmsr,
I think you misunderstood my wood question. I wanted to coat the WALLS (that make up the raised bed) not the wood that is part of the mulch. I dont want the bed walls to dissentigrate! lol.

As far as my project goes, I got a bunch of cappacino pods from starbucks (they seem to be "cakes" of coffee grounds (which break up into powder) i added probably around 1 gallon jug worth of volume of these coffee grounds. I added that volume of coffee separated into 2 different layers. I also added 1 more layer of pine needles and 1 more layer of grass since the last post. I really want to add some leaves, but I just dont have any...

Should i shred up some more cardboard and paper products to go on the next layer or just go for more pine needles...?

Because pine needles last sooo long, I like to use them as a mulch to help suppress weeds.