Lasagna Composting - How To Layer Sod For A Lasagna Compost Garden

Sod layering is also known as lasagna gardening. No, lasagna is not just a culinary specialty, though building a lasagna compost garden is the same process as creating lasagna. When you use good, healthy ingredients for lasagna, the finished product is fabulous. The same is true for lasagna composting. You can use the same basic method to start a rich compost pile or to naturally decompose sod, prepare a seed bed, or build a berm.

Lasagna Compost Garden

The simplest way to take advantage of the debris in your landscape is to compost it. Basic compost rules require nitrogen and carbon as the basis of the organic materials. When aerobic bacteria and generous amounts of worms get to work on these materials, they turn it into a nutrient rich source of soil for the garden. Therefore, the easiest use of lasagna composting is in the compost pile. Lasagna composting is easy. Simply layer the two types of material on top of each other in an area that will receive sun to warm the pile. Spread some soil in between each layer to hold moisture and add the basic bacteria and organisms that will get to work turning the material into usable compost. Keep the pile moderately moist and turn it frequently to mix in the beneficial organisms and hasten the breakdown of the material.

What is Sod Layering?

Sod layering, like lasagna composting, is an easy way to break down grass and turn the area into a planting bed. Composting with sod layers will provide a nutrient rich soil space, but it does take some time. Plan how to layer sod at least five months prior to when you want to plant the area. Have on hand sources of both carbon and nitrogen (browns and greens) to spur the decomposition process. Leaves and straw or hay will work for compost and grass clippings or kitchen scraps can provide the nitrogen.

How to Layer Sod

Learning how to layer sod in the lasagna compost pile is simple. Turn the sod over and then spread a layer of wet newspaper over that. Put in fine nitrogen organic matter, such as leaves topped with soil or compost. Coat the surface of the area with more soil, then add carbon rich material. The newspaper will prevent the grass from growing back up through the soil. You can also use saturated cardboard, but make sure you remove any tape and do not use the waxed kind, as it will take too long to break down. The layers of material will help break down the sod and turn it into usable soil. Each layer needs to be about an inch (2.5 cm.) or so thick with a total height of 18 inches (46 cm.) or more. Composting with sod layers is not hard and you can layer in any order as long as the first layer is newspaper or cardboard and the last layer is carbon. If you want the process to go faster, weight a sheet of black plastic over the pile to keep the heat in. Check it frequently to make sure the pile is lightly moist. In five to six months, turn the soil and till it for planting.