I spent some time yesterday installing our first lasagna bed...layered damp newsprint, greens, browns, wood ash, manure, shredded paper and lots of hay and covered with a tarp. Easy! We'll see how it goes. My community garden neighbor was so kind to give me the hay and some friendly advice (she just finished doing the same thing for her entire plot). Looking forward to the results!

Please let us know what happens.

Welcome to Lasagna Gardening. I have been doing it since before they called it "Lasagna" (originally it was call Permaculture gardening). It has kept me from having to weed for over 20 years now. It will do the same for you.

It's been a couple months and I just planted in the lasagna bed I created. Everything is rich and decomposed, aside from some of the straw. I believe, however, that is A-OK since I planted broccoli and brussel sprouts, which I've read like to be mulched. I'm very happy with the result of the little work I had to do to prepare the bed and husband and I plan to do more beds over the winter.

Further, I think that doing mini-lasagnas between seasons and beds is a great way to keep the weeds down and improve the soil. I.e., I spread some of the hay/composted material soil mix to other areas between rows/beds. Plan to expand and lay newspaper/layer constituents next year.