We want to turn another area of lawn into a garden bed.
So Ian and I have been hanging around in dark alleys again. And we’ve scored big time!
Don’t worry, there is nothing illicit going on here.
Just getting the goods we need to create our new huge flower garden.
Namely, stacks of cardboard.
We have been busy seeking out dumpsters full of cardboard packaging, loading it into the car and bringing it home.
I talked about our grass in a previous letter – how it is so tenacious and how it weedles its way into every garden bed with its thick ropey runners. Living on rich volcanic soil is certainly has its benefits but it also means the weeds and grass are extra vigorous as well.
Our solution to invasive kikuyu grass and other weeds?
Cardboard.
Layers and layers of it.
We’ve been carting car loads of packing boxes and cartons out to the paddock. I hit the motherload the other day behind a homewares and big box appliance store.
Massive fridge, dishwasher and air conditioner boxes which cover large areas at a time. Woohoo! Who new cardboard could be so thrilling??
By the way, if you have little kids you’ll know that they are often more interested in the box than the present that comes in it.
Why not grab a couple of fridge boxes and make them a cubby (that’s Aussie for playhouse or fort) for Christmas? You could cut out windows and paint it up. Even put in little curtains if you are crafty like that. Our kids LOVED these when they were little.
Just an idea for a super cheap, eco friendly but much loved Christmas present.
So anyway, back to the task at hand – how to create a new garden bed where once was lawn.
We put the cardboard down on top of the grass and then layer mulch and manure on top of that. The grass quickly dies without light and the by the time the cardboard has broken down the soil underneath is nice and damp and full of juicy worms.
This is an easy way to create a new garden bed on top of a lawn without using poisons to kill the grass. We chip the edges with a spade to make sure no grass roots sneak in from outside the cardboarded area.
Another way is to simply dig the grass up and turn it upside down. This only works if your grass doesn’t send out runners or regrow from its roots (like kikuyu does). This method can work well if you have sandy soil as it adds organic matter straight away in the form of the composting grass.
So there’s a little tip that can save you hours of back breaking labour and expensive physiotherapy.
When you are done collecting and laying out your cardboard you can come inside and enjoy this delicious Rainbow Chicken Salad for lunch.
Enjoy!
