Can I just start throwing stuff in?

Davis: I don't think you can goof up lasagna much. I haven't put OM under the paper or cardboard, except when converting a lawn area, there will of course be grass under the cardboard. I usually do these steps:
1 Wet the area thoroughly FIRST
2 Apply cardboard, well soaked. Very important. Helps to soak it first in a bucket or kiddie pool
3 Add organic matter, a mix of green and brown as you would use in compost. The more you add, the better it will be. Most folks seem to use it a foot deep, though mine isn't always. Some people use 2 feet thick. Spray to moisten after each few inches. It can be very tough to moisten after the fact from above, after the hump is already in place.

4. Optional: Cover with burlap. This technically makes it "interbay mulch" (as opposed to "lasagna") but I have found that the darkness it creates and the protection from drying out seems to hasten breakdown.

You said "I'm going to try lasagna again". What was your experience the first time?

Karen

2racingboys: Some people plant in lasagna immediately after building, the same day. The minimum mine has sat was a few weeks before planting, I just waited for it to shrink down a little. I did line the planting hole with a little soil (maybe a cupful) and it worked great. But some of my online friends don't even do that.

Karen

ok, that makes sense. I was just wondering if the cardboard and all had to decompose prior to planting but since it is soak like you said, that should speed up the process. I may try this. Thanks Karen.

Just be sure to keep it nice and moist. I find it helps a lot to wet both the ground and the cardboard, then slightly moisten the hump every few inches. After building, spray the surface if your weather is dry. You don't want it sopping wet, but dry layers won't break down.

If you build it thick, you won't be disappointed in the results.

Tilling has been shown to break down fungal hyphae and be counterproductive to soil life. This method leaves soil undisturbed.

I've been plagued with a sinus headache and can't seem to get in gear this morning. I have to get moving now and wintersow my seeds.

Karen

Karen, I know why my first time didn't work. There was only 6-8" depth. I was stingy with my organic material & I didn't soak. I'm gonna try the burlap for a specific area this time. I'd like to get it ready for planting by May to early June. I don't need to cover/kill the weeds do I? If so, I need to get lime into the soil. Thanks for all the help.

If you cover the bottom with cardboard, that should kill off grass and weeds. I hear that bermuda grass can later grow up through it but fortunately I have no experience with that (bermuda). The cardboard has worked well for me over grass. You could put down the cardboard now, maybe weigh it down with bricks until you have lots of OM available. The cardboard would be working at killing stuff off simply by blocking light. And, yes, keep all layers moist as you build. You don't want it sopping wet or it might stink--- just nicely moist throughout. It's nearly impossible to moisten the entire hump from the top once it's built.

When I didn't have burlap, I tried covering with cotton sheets, and once a cotton mattress cover. Both worked OK. I think as long as it's an organic, breathable fabric it would serve the intended purpose. Sprinkle a little, but frequently, like every day or two for a few minutes, after finished building it.

Karen

Thanks everyone for your help and never-ending awesome information.
I have gotten a lot done lately in the same bed I've been working on. It's a lot of work but it'll be awesome when I get done.

Now I'm facing yet another issue.....
I finished the one bed the other day and transplanted my two gorgeous autumn ferns under the tree and then my neighbors dogs come over and pee on them! Now the vicious cycle has begun! One marks, then they alllllllll have to mark. It's so frustrating! Of course I'm trying to be nice and not say anything BUT ....... *sigh* I do not want it to be a constant thing, every time someone comes over with their dogs, they all wee wee on my plants! I know my dog probably would do that too BUT I don't let him just roam in peoples yards either to have that opportunity. Am I being unrealistic here?

Yes. You can't "be nice and not say anything" and expect it to stop happening........ sad to say.

You may have a "need-to-fence" situation there......

One of the more difficult gardening challenges, I find, is neighbors and how they behave and let their dogs/kids/repair workers behave.......

Good luck with it. If your neighbors are nice friendly neighborly sorts it might be possible to ask their assistance in protecting your new garden from dogs....... If they aren't interested you will need a barrier, cause the dogs won't ever know any different. Either a fence or a barrier of some dog-repellent substance, but I think a fence is actually easier, plus it gives the dogs an alternate target, as it were.

I have stoloniferous grasses in my lawn - they do not die from being smothered, but i can happily report they are severely weakened. If you have any in your lawn, just understand that they require a bit more effort to get rid of. It may be different for folks living in warmer climates due to more heat units building up. I am in a cool area outside Seattle - patience is a necessity when doing the sheet composting/lasagna style.
First layer - use cardboard as Karen has explained. And do heed the "soak it to death" warning - helps it break down nicely. I have had success using lots of it in the various layers; I break it up a bit. It needs to be soaked, too: smaller pieces are easier to deal with.
If you can finish the pile off with more cardboard, it will help to hold the moisture in, and keep the whole thing a bit warmer. Although - during winter, I'm not sure it's a big issue. However - it will all break down, and I guarantee you will thoroughly enjoy the results.

I have been amazed at how fast my "lasagna bed" has broken down. During the summer when I wasn't teaching, I put down a layer of cardboard and then bags of grass clippings that I picked up on trash days. Last week I noticed the cardboard was gone and there was a nice "black" layer under the top inch or two. I have also added bags of coffee grounds from Starbucks when I have time. Right now I have a couple dozen bags of leaves that I haven't had time to spread around yet. DH says I should stop getting more bags of leaves until I use the ones I have, but I'm sure all of you will understand the desire to have more organic material. I have been waiting for things to start getting a little bigger before adding another layer of leaves to all the beds.
Tabitha

Start a small compost pile somewhere else for the time being. A couple a dozen bags of leave, when fully composted isn't all that much, you need much more. Get all you can.

2racingboys, sometimes you can find free composted manure on Craig's List. Some farmers/ranchers will hand it out to anybody willing to come load up a trailer & haul it away. Talk about black gold!

nice idea pirate! I'll have to remember that.

Sadly my plans & work are on hold right now. 4 wisdom teeth have decided to grow so I am not doing much besides sitting as still as possible and taking antibiotics & pain killers which I am NOT fond of. I swear I think they make me feel worse, especially at night.

I have a consultation with an oral surgeon wednesday to have them removed & it can't come soon enough! This whole tooth thing is RIDICULOUS!!! I can't believe how bad these things hurt!

Owies! I am so so sorry, I know, dental discomfort is the worst.

Heal fast and pain free!

Kyla

Son of a gun! I finished reading this and decided to take Puddle Pirates advice, and check Craig's list for manure. I've never looked at it before, but there was a listing in my area, just second from the top, so just recently listed. I sent an email, and I am waiting to hear back from them.

2racingboys, I hope you are feeling better - in an aside, is your moniker based on your sons or do you actually race something?

Lord no, not me. My 2 boys race BMX bikes. My oldest BEGGED me to race last year, dh started building me a custom & I chickened out. lol Those guys are TOUGH STUFF! There are some chicks who race too but that's a little too "guyish" to me. I can't take the pain in a crash. lol

Did anyone watch the BMX Debut at the Olympics? BMX Racing had it's first year as an olympic sport. People were packed in my house screaming like I don't know what! lol Kyle Bennett IS THE MAN, he is blazing at 40+ mph on a bike is just INSANE! Donny Robinson, Mike Day all those boys are like bombs waiting to explode! lol Of course USA brought home the bronze & silver which was awesome.

here's a short youtube vid my son made with random pics last year of him and his racing stuff if anyone wants to check it out. (check your speakers are down a little, he's got avenged sevenfold jammin) lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP4KqBRI4bQ

Can I put too many coffee grounds in my compost pile?

Ask your worms - you will hear a resounding "No!".

I dump coffee grounds regularly into my soil, and use as a mulch in many areas: provides a very nice texture.
Use what you have available to you.
It is wonderful to get a mix of materials, but the reality of it is that it doesn't always manifest like we want, when we want.
Of course, one way is to save & segregate the different materials & mix when you have the best proportions.
Remember - no one is "working" compostables in the woods & forests. It all eventually breaks down.

I've been dumping ALL my coffee ground it. AND I pour the left over cold coffee on my roses. :D Don't waste a thing.

Katye thanks for your answer! I always feel like I'm gonna do something wrong & I end up getting OCD with most gardening issues. No need for that is it? (sigh...just stay calm & let it flow girl).

2boys, sounds like you have quite a system in place to remember & do all those things. Any advice to help me get better organized & a better follow through program going?

(gee, did I just contradict myself in those 2 notes?)

I too, have been accused of going OCD with these matters.
So I adopted an attitude of "eventually, it all rots".

I look for the best mix, but use the ingredients I have on hand. I'm too anal to have all this stuff laying around in hopes of achieving more exact proportions. Like 2racingboys, I try not to waste anything.
You can always mix it up......