Hannah Veld introduced an unusual and interesting topic at the October meeting of the Maryborough Horticultural Society – “lasagna gardening.” It has been described as a recipe for “raising your garden beds and lowering your labour.”
Lasagna gardening is done on top of the soil or grass, wherever a gardener wishes to make a bed. Wet Newspapers are layered on top of the sod up to several inches thick. On top of this, grass clippings, peat moss, shredded leaves, straw, manure and compost are layered. Each layer should be moistened. In the early spring the bed is covered with black plastic so it can “bake” for several weeks.
The first year Veld and her husband planted smaller garden vegetables in their “lasagna” bed, then added more compost and leaves in the fall. This year they enjoyed a nice harvest of flavourful vegetables including tomatoes. In the fall they will add more straw and leaves and, next spring, “bake” it again for a few weeks.
The Velds also “planted” potatoes on layers of wet Newspaper this spring and covered them with straw. With regular watering, the potato plants grew through the straw. In the fall no digging was needed, they just removed the straw and harvested their clean potatoes.
After a number of questions, Jo Houston thanked Veld for presenting the topic.
During recess, lunch was served by Debbie Oxby and Margareth Signer. Members voted on the entries for the mini-show – “Dried Flower Arrangement.” Jean Dobben received first place and Clara Bauman second.
Two new directors were welcomed to the society’s board: Gea Lobsinger and Jerry Ottens.
Before adjournment, Houston encouraged members to come to the next meeting on Nov. 27 at the Optimist Hall in Moorefield since it will be the society’s annual meeting and potluck dinner.
