I'm moving into a new home in late February (in zone 7a) and I'm thinking about trying in-ground no-till beds instead of my usual raised beds. The typical advice I've found suggests laying down cardboard and covering it with several inches of compost at least six months before planting, but I won't be able to access the property until just before the end of February. Does anyone have suggestions on how I can accelerate the preparation process? I was considering just digging out the grass like I'm cutting sod and applying compost directly to the topsoil instead of using cardboard.
4 Answers
Cutting the sod is a great move that can really speed things up! Just a heads up, though, you might want to think about how it affects your back. I’ve been doing raised beds for years now and it's made a big difference, especially as we’re getting older. If you’re in your late 30s like you said, it should be fine for you, but just keep ergonomics in mind while gardening.
For a solid plan, consider renting a sod cutter to clear the area and then set up your no-till bed. Dig in your compost for the first year and use mulch to establish your beds. I took over an allotment last May and started harvesting by the 18th! It does take some initial effort, but it’ll pay off with healthier soil and more productive plants over time. Just keep mulching to add nutrients!
I did something similar where I cut out the sod, laid down a barrier, then added soil and cardboard. I stacked bags of mulch on top for a couple of weeks to prevent growth, and it worked great with no grass coming back after that!
My dad’s 80 and still swears by in-ground gardening! I’ve tried to persuade him to switch to raised beds for a while now, but no luck. Some folks just really stick to their methods, don’t they?