They call it 'lasagna' gardening. Instead of hard work digging sod, you can layer your nutrients. Soil Science tells us that not all 'dirt' is the same. You need combinations of soil, sand, clay and organic nutrients as well as space for air and bugs and roots in order to grow healthy plants. Organic gardening does not use any fertilizers or chemicals that are not naturally found. So in this light we are making a 'layer cake' of compost (Thanks, Lisa), leaves, soil, manure, straw and eventually more soil. This way, when we are ready to plant, our classes will have good results because what's under the feet of those roots is like a jam-packed storehouse of vitamins and minerals for the plant. Bit by bit, we add. Thanks to Salt Spring Coffee for coffee grounds, and to Andrea, Nicole and kidlets for helping collect manure (aged so not wet or stinky) from the organized drive through at VanDusen Gardens and a few pinecones along the way...
