INSTRUCTIONS FOR CREATING A SHEET MULCH NO DIG GARDEN BED

A sheet mulch no dig garden bed is the least laborious way to convert a lawn or a weedy
area into an intensive annual bed. Using this technique you will be able to create rich
healthy soil and block out weeds. The following below tells you how to create the garden
bed, step by step.

*Before starting it is always recommended that you test the pH of the soil to see what
amendments need to be added.*

Materials Needed:

1. Compost, poultry or stock manure

2. Soil amendments if needed
3. Cardboard or newspaper
4. Weed seed free compost
5. Straw
6. Plants
7. Water

Tools Needed:

1. Wheelbarrow
2. Shovel
3. Watering can or garden hose

1.0 PREPARING THE AREA

1.1 Mark out the area where you want to create your new garden bed.
1.2 Knock down all the weeds or existing vegetation in the desired garden bed
area by stepping on them or slashing them back.
1.3 Remove any bulky plant materials.
2.0 ADDING COMPOST AND MINERAL AMENDMENTS

2.1 Spread amendments over the area if needed.

2.2 Add a layer of compost or well composted manure to the entire area.
2.3 Soak the area with water until it is completely saturated.

3.0 ADDING THE WEED BARRIER

3.1 Lay cardboard or newspaper down over the area. If newspaper is used you
will need to wet each piece to keep it from blowing away while you lay it
down. Make sure to overlap the pieces by at least 6’’.

*One layer of cardboard is fine but if newspaper is used you will need to layer it
4-6 pages thick.

3.2 If there are any existing plants make sure to leave a generous opening
around the root crown for air circulation.
3.2 Wet down the cardboard/newspaper.
4.0 LAYERING COMPOST

4.1 Evenly spread the weed seed free compost down 3’’ thick.

*Use weed seed free compost because this layer is on top of the weed barrier.*

5.0 ADDING THE TOP LAYER

5.1 Cover the entire area with 3-5’’ of straw.

6.0 PLANTING

6.1. In each spot where you want to plant spread back some of the straw to
create an opening to the soil.
6.2 Create a hole in the soil for the plant roots to be in.
6.3 Place a plant in each of the holes you have created.
6.3 Fill in the holes so that the soil covers the roots.
7.0 WATERING PLANTS

7.1 Water the plants as needed.

Make sure to leave some space around each plant for circulation.

Enjoy your new weed free no dig garden bed, but be sure to take care of some of these
potential problems:

• Do not pile mulch up against the trunks or stems of plants as this cuts off the
circulation and this will promote disease.
• Keep an eye out for snails, slugs, and rodents who might seek cover in the straw
mulch layer.