Lasagna Gardening-List of Ingredients

Tomorrow I am teaching a lasagna gardening (or sheet composting) class at Dragonfly Shops & Gardens in Old Towne Orange.  I will lecture on the technique while we all build a lasagna garden in a big cardboard box to take home.  I thought I would share with you the list of 'ingredients' and where you might be able to get them for your own garden.

Building a lasagna garden is easy to do once you collect your ingredients.  Collect them over a period of a few weeks, and you will be surprised how easy it is to find them, especially in the fall when leaves are in abundance.  I don't use a compost bin, so for me, this is how I create more garden areas. Have you ever tried this technique? 

Alternate layers of ‘Green’ and ‘Brown’ materials for best results in an approximate 2:1 ratio or 2 parts Brown to 1 Part Green

Green or Brown	Layer Suggestions	Approximate Depth	Resources
Brown	Newspaper	6-10 sheets-ensure they are overlapping	Junk Mail ads from grocery stores or purchased newspaper
Brown	Cardboard	1 layer-ensure it is overlapping	Back of grocery stores or Wal-Mart, from friends who move, local stores, etc.
Brown	Wood Chips	1 inch or more	Craigslist
Green	Coffee Grounds	As available (also tea leaves or tea bags)	Starbucks gives these away-just bring your own container
Green	Eggshells	As available	Collect your own
Green	Grass Clippings	1 inch or more	Ask your gardener or collect your own from your yard and neighbors
Green	Manure	1 inch or more	Horse Manure, Chicken, Pig or Rabbit (no dog or cat)
Brown	Sand	1 inch or more	Craigslist
Brown or Green depending on age	Compost	1 inch or more	The City of Orange gives away compost 1 time per year (usually late April)
Brown	Peat Moss	1 inch or more	No free resources known for this item
Brown	Soil	1 inch or more	Craigslist
Brown	Straw or Hay (may be used)	1 inch or more	Craigslist
N/A	Wood Ash	As available	From a fireplace
Brown	Chipped or small leaves	1 inch or more	Craigslist / Neighbors
Brown	Pine Needles	1 inch or more	Craigslist
Green	Fruit / Veg Scraps	As available