Deep mulch garden install in spring

Dietrich asks:

I'm inspired by your work, and especially delighted to learn about lasagna gardening, which, once you see what it is, seems like such a logical approach.  Question:  If I do it right away, is it too late to have a lasagna patch ready for spring, or say late spring (May) planting?  I would be able to put hay and composted material on top of the cardboard base.

I hope to be able to attend your March 3 all day session at Olbrich.

My thoughts:

Thanks Dietrich.  I agree--it does seem really logical, once you understand the process. 

I recommend waiting until the ground is thawed in spring, before putting down a lasagna/deep mulch garden.  All the materials in the deep mulch garden are basically cellulose insulation--we don't want a garden on top of an ice-cube.

So, mid to late March you can do an new garden installation, and still plant for this season.  Once it is installed, be diligent about watering.  It will take 2 to 4 weeks of almost daily watering, at first, to get it wet through and through.  Water up to 1 inch a day for the first week.  Then dig in 5 to 6 places and see how wet things are getting.  The adjust your watering pattern, based on how wet things are getting.

IT TAKES MUCH MORE WATER THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE!!!

You can cover the garden with a plastic sheet or tarp between waterings.  This will reduce evaporation and speed the process.

Yes, you can still install a deep mulch garden plant it this spring.  Good luck.

Hope to see you at Olbrich Gardens March 3rd.

Happy Gardening,

Roger