At the core of Gleanr’s approach to urban food growing is the idea that being lean and smart with available resources is the best way to start a new, or expand an existing garden. We describe how to create a food garden from lawn.
While we recognise that there are many factors that come into play when people decide on the type of garden they want, we think it’s important to consider low cost and ease of construction as a starting point.
Whilst raised bed (or above ground) gardens are popular and work in many situations because of some advantages they offer, an in-ground food garden from lawn is the easiest and most cost-effective way to get started or expand your vegetable garden. Along with the lower start-up cost of an in-ground garden, other advantages include a lower water requirement, easier irrigation, more effective soil temperature moderation and often no need for additional soil.
To help you think through the process and become more confident in building an easy food garden, we have prepared a set of notes across four broad areas. These cover garden location, site preparation, soil improvement and management, and bed preparation.
Location
In considering the most optimal location for your food garden from lawn, it is important to consider its exposure to sunlight, drainage, the presence of tree roots, as well as soil health, which can be observed in the condition of the grass areas where you intend to start your new garden.
Key points about location:
Sun – For southern hemisphere gardeners, having open exposure to the sun in the north is very important; especially if you live in a warm, temperate or sub-tropical climate when a very large variety of food grows well over the “winter” months (from April to September).
Drainage – Ensure that the space for your garden has good drainage, either on a flat space or with a gentle slope. Try to find a space where you do not need to retain the garden beds due to the slope.
Tree roots – Keep as far away as possible from tree roots. When tree roots cannot be avoided, put in root guard around the garden area. While this may require extra time, it should be considered a good long-term measure.
Expandable – Choose an area where it is more likely you can progressively expand the garden space as you get more into your low-cost vegetable garden.
Healthy grass – If the grass is growing well, you should expect some reasonable soil underneath, high carbon levels and good light conditions.
Site preparation
A well prepared site for your garden is essential. This is not an overly complicated process and, when done properly, will make a big difference to the quality of your garden in the long run.
Key points about site preparation:
Soil check – Once you decide where to set your garden, use a sharp bladed shovel and dig a small hole to the depth of the shovel. This will tell you what to expect of the soil underneath. Be aware of any underground services before you start to prepare the area.
Garden size – This is always a tricky decision as it’s based on what you can manage with your time availability and skill level. Our advice is to plan big and start small.
Clear the space – Cut the grass very short and then chip off grass with a hoe or pick (mattock). If it’s a large space, you may choose to use a rotary hoe. While it is a common recommendation by some gardeners to put the grass layer back onto the space upside down, it is important consider the negative aspects of such a practice as grass can grow back. Putting cardboard into the ground to kill the grass may also introduce undesirable chemicals which can make it harder to improve the soil.
Loosening the soil – Once you have removed the grass off the space and can see clearly what you have underneath, use your pick to loosen the soil to a depth of 15 cm. Then rake out the grass roots, save them and then put them through a hot composting process to create fertilizer. That way, none of the organic matter you remove is wasted.
Soil Improvement and Management
Most soils can be made suitable for gardening with a little bit of extra care. Soils can be improved through a few simple measures.
Key points about soil improvement:
If you have loamy soil as a base, you can improve it in following ways:
Minerals – to each square metre of garden bed you will need to add a handful each of gypsum and fine rock dust, plus a handful of bentonite clay if the soil is sandy. It’s important that the beds have sulphur (found in gypsum), calcium (found in gypsum), silica and boron (found in rock dust) as the foundation minerals.
Living organic substances – Provide carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in a living state via a green manure process, as well as trace elements by adding liquid manure of seaweed fertiliser (e.g., biodynamic seaweed and fish emulsion) and well chopped and aged cow manure.
Order – Once you have formed the beds, mix in the minerals and get the living organic substances underway.
- If you have very little soil, you may need to bring some soil in from another source. Ensure it’s a good quality soil and spread it evenly over the space and then use the same improvement process described above. You can also raise soil levels in the beds when you dig the paths, which may mean no external soil will be needed, creating the ideal scenario.
Soil management is essential for growing a rewarding and healthy garden. Developing a good habit of managing the garden soil takes time, but initially there are a few things that every gardener should pay attention to.
Key points for soil management:
If your garden soil base is quite poor, it is recommended to grow a green manure crop as the first step.
Use regular application of organically based liquid fertiliser. Some gardeners use biodynamic soil conditioner, plant based liquid manures as well as cow manure teas.
Apply compost when you plant, use crop rotation for each bed and include a green manure crop after every 4 crops.
Bed preparation
Now that the site is prepared, you are ready to complete the last step before planting your first crop. Bed preparation is a relatively easy process but there are a couple of things that need to be done well.
Key points about bed preparation:
Make your garden bed about 80cm in width with paths approximately 30cm wide. With your flat bladed shovel, dig your paths and throw that soil up onto the beds so that you are creating beds which are raised by about 20cm.
Fill the paths with mulch. Over time that mulch will break down and create more soil which can be thrown up onto the beds at the end of the season.
In summary, growing food can be a low-cost exercise using minimal resources. None of the ingredients mentioned above are overly expensive and, with an in-ground garden, you have the flexibility to create whatever shape you want with no hard borders. The work you dedicate
to make your garden a success will make you appreciate it more. Overall, good sun exposure, quality soil and good drainage will suffice.
For more free resources on soil management and other useful tips on getting the best out of your food garden, go to our Toolshed once you register as a member at Gleanr.
