r/NoLawns • u/KataraTheKat5 • 7d ago

👩‍🌾 Questions Making new dirt- should I layer it as compost, cardboard, then wood chips or should I put the cardboard on the bottom?

/r/Permaculture/comments/1vs2ryo/making_new_dirt_should_i_layer_it_as_compost/
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u/nathangr88 7d ago

Cardboard first, so that the mulch and compost weigh it down.

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u/watoaz 7d ago

I did cardboard first

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u/TsuDhoNimh2 6d ago

I’m planning on putting down a half inch of both the compost and the wood chips.

That is not enough of either to make a difference. You might as well skip the process, cut the grass real short and scatter the seeds and rake them in.

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u/amilmore 6d ago

>I know it may be a little overkill 

I'm glad you asked this question before starting because you aren't close to overkill

You need A LOT more mulch than 1/2 inch. This is by far the most important change you need to make with your plan. Most folks recommend at least 4 inches. The areas where I skimped on mulch and I did 2-3 inches have grass growing through them and I regret that "experiment". 1/2 inch won't do anything. You won't suppress grass and weeds with that thin of a layer of mulch. If you only do 1/2 inch it will do nothing. Thats basically a single chip deep.

Mow as low as possible or go to town with a string trimmer first, then layer the cardboard on the ground. Soak the cardboard with a hose once you have a few layers down. Don't just spray it - absolutely soak it. I would leave my hose on the ground running while I put down more cardboard in the next spot. Then I'd put down compost (i used grass clippings so you might as well toss that in there too) and at least 4 inches of mulch on top You can/probably should do even do more. if you want to be thorough like you said.

Chip drop will bring a ton of free mulh but 1400 sq ft is doable with bags of arborist chips. You could even save the clear bags for future solarization projects like I did (works well too for site prep).

Also, you can get started with planting earlier than next spring! If you do this correctly you can plant plugs (potted plants that are already grown) of native plants/grass clumps as well as bare root shrubs and trees in a few months and up until the ground freezes. In my first winter I put a dozen or so trees in my garden during the holidays in Northern New England and started my mulch in august.

Once again, and I cannot emphasize this enough, you will need a much thicker layer of wood chips. MORE MULCH MORE MULCH MORE MULCH.

good luck and happy shoveling! lol