Lasagna gardening is a time saving, labor reducing, easy composting method that improves soil structure, reduces water consumption, soil erosion and is an organically fertile method of gardening. Tree trimmer in your neighborhood? Ask for a trash can (or space allowing, a whole truck) full of chipped material. Most of these materials are free for the asking and can add nutrients to your soil with little or no work. These materials, when mulched or composted will add significantly to the health of your soil.
The same recycle, reuse, renew holds true in our gardens at home. At the end of harvest, the beds are recycled by adding mulch, composting left-over material or adding other amendments to prepare them for reuse. Some beds are immediately reused for winter crops; other beds are left to ‘renew' until the beginning of Spring, when new crops will be planted to await their turn at harvest in the Fall. During the growing season, trimmings are kept and recycled. Nothing from the garden ends up in a landfill. Everything is recycled, renewed, and reused.
Master Gardener members use this same cycle in many of our adventures. We join Master Gardener to renew our knowledge of horticulture, and reuse our new found knowledge, sharing it with others through our teaching. We continually recycle the information (keeping it current) to ensure our clients receive the best information available. Recycle, reuse, and renew concepts will hopefully interest more people in gardening and the Master Gardener Program.
If you find yourself in need of recycling, renewing, or reusing your skills, join us as a Master Gardener. After your training, (and when the pandemic ends) there will be plenty of activities and events to peak your interest. Master Gardeners can create new venues to reuse their knowledge and skills. Use your creativity and start a local community garden, school garden, or a booth at the county fair. Check with your local school to guest speak to children about gardening. The list is endless and only as confined as your imagination. Even if you choose to wait to join Master Gardener, dream big and start you own plan to recycle, renew and reuse. Ready to grab a pitchfork and shovel and enjoy some Lasagna?