The Lasagna Project
(From the book "Lasagna Gardening" by Patricia Lanza)
Part 2 - Making Progress - 2001
705 687-6992
Tuesday
April 10, 2001 - First day in the lasagna patch this year. We planted
a few onion sets, just to say we had started. The bags of leaves that
bordered the gardens for the winter are waiting to be put to use as the
saga continues.
This photo of the growing onions was taken on May 5, and shows the very first growth that has taken place entirely in the garden: about two inches high at this point.
Easter
Sunday, April 15 - Beautiful day to be outdoors. In the photo to the
left are the first transplants to go into the garden. From the flower bed
in front of the house we divided a large clump of bergamot and put about
24 pieces of it in this long lasagna bed, along with divisions of Jacob's
Ladder, Shasta Daisies, and some bleeding heart. Yes, they are difficult
(if not impossible) to see in this photo, but it felt good to get started.
Amy
and Carol made a greenhouse in the garden, using a window frame mounted
on bales of peat moss. The seedlings of the annuals we had started in the
house thrived there until the night a surprise frost killed a number of
them. 
Sunday
April 22 - Earth Day. What better place to be than a garden? The weather
has been warm but very windy. We increased the lasagna garden area by about
another 400 square feet and planted potatoes the lasagna way - on top of
the newspaper and covered with a thick layer of leaves and hay. This means
that we will be able to harvest a few potatoes at a time as they mature,
no hilling required, and the potatoes will be clean when harvested.
Monday,
April 23 - We set out 14 each of two varieties of everbearing strawberries
- Tristar and Ozark Beauty. We look forward to serving our guests fresh
strawberries from our garden. We set up the two new arbours in the "park",
and will plant clematis and annual vines to climb over them. 
May
3, 2001 - A trip to visit a friend netted us a wheelbarrow load of
perennials for transplanting. This bed now holds hostas, day lilies, iris,
some bergamot, and evening primrose. Thanks, Monika!
Other beds hold Solomon's Seal, Snow in Summer, bleeding heart, pinks, Jacob's Ladder, Shasta Daisies, and more to come...
May
4, 2001 - Lily of the Valley was moved out from under the deck, and
found a new home here along with some sedum. The plan is that this will
be our "white garden". This is the first of our growing collection
of birdhouses to make it to the garden. We'll soon find a better spot for
it. 
May
4, 2001 - A day spent hauling away extra bags of leaves, mulch, and
peat moss has resulted in a much neater appearance. Now if it would just
RAIN! This is the new view from the yard, looking out towards Doe Lake.
May
5, 2001 - These are the survivors of the frost. There are white zinnias,
white and seashell cosmos, morning glories, marigolds, painted daisies,
alyssum, and nicotiana. My grandmother's "rule of (green) thumb is
that it is best to wait until after "the first full moon in June"
to set out tender annuals and vegetables.
This
is one of eight little cedars we transplanted into the garden. We are
hoping that they will attract even more birds to our yard.
May
6, 2001 - Things are progressing. This is the new view of the house
"through the garden gate". Look carefully and you will see Mike
giving his attention to the front garden where he is pruning a rosebush.
May
21, 2001- The first Official Tour of the garden. On the next
page you will see the fruits of our labours.
