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Lasagna Garden "Recipe"

Perfect for beginners. No digging, no tilling. Just layering and watering.
This is an estimation for the materials you'll need for a 46 sq. ft. bed that will create about an 8"- 12" deep layer on top of your soil. You can add more or less materials depending on your budget. Please note that most lasagna garden guides recommend a soil depth of at least 12 inches. I started with less. Each year I added a few new bags of soil which has greatly increased the soil depth over time.
Prep Time5 hours
Total Time5 hours
Course: Gardening
Cuisine: Gardening
Keyword: easy gardening, lasagna garden plan, no-dig vegetable garden
Author: Heather Baird
Cost: $150-$190

Equipment

  • watering hose
  • rake

Materials

  • Newspaper or Cardboard Enough to cover 46 sq ft
  • 1 large bag Peat Moss 3 cu ft
  • 2-3 bags Black Kow (cow manure) 1 cu ft
  • 3 bags Mushroom Compost 1 cu ft
  • 15-20 bags Raised Bed Mix 1.5 cu ft
  • seeds or young starter plants

Instructions

Pick Your Patch

  • Find a spot that gets 6–8 hours of sunlight daily. Size: about 46 square feet (roughly 5' x 9', 4' x 11.5', etc.).

Newspaper or Cardboard Base

  • Lay down 4–6 layers of newspaper or 1 layer of cardboard across the entire area. Wet thoroughly with a hose. This smothers grass and weeds.

Peat Moss Layer (1st peat moss layer)

  • Spread ½ bag of peat moss (about 1.5 cu ft) evenly over the surface.

Cow Manure Layer

  • Sprinkle 2 bags of cow manure (2 cu ft) across the top. This part is stinky — but it’s gold for your garden. Use a rake to spread it out.

Compost Layer (1st compost layer)

  • Use 2 bags of mushroom compost. If you have kitchen scraps, grass clippings, or coffee grounds, you can add those too. Spread using a rake.

Peat Moss Layer (2nd peat moss layer)

  • Spread the remaining ½ bag of peat moss (1.5 cu ft). Peat helps with moisture retention and keeps the layers “light.”

Top Layer – Raised Bed Mix

  • Dump and spread 10 bags of raised bed mix (15 cu ft total) over the top.This creates a fluffy planting layer for your seedlings or seeds to thrive in.

Compost Layer (2nd compost layer)

  • Use the remaining bag of mushroom compost on top of the raised bed mix. Rake together lightly.

Water Like Crazy

  • Soak the entire bed. This helps everything settle and start breaking down—just like a lasagna baking in the oven.
  • You can plant immediately, or wait a few weeks for the layers to "cook" together. Over time, the soil improves and you’ll notice better growth every season.

Notes

Planting and Watering Tips

  • You can plant immediately! No need to wait weeks. The top layer of raised bed mix and compost is already rich and fluffy—perfect for seeds and seedlings.
  • Start with easy growers like lettuce, basil, radishes, marigolds, or zucchini.
  • For root vegetables (like carrots or beets), make sure the top 6–8 inches are loose and well mixed—these crops need room to stretch.
  • Space your plants according to the seed packet or plant tag. Don’t overcrowd—lasagna beds retain moisture well, so air circulation is important to prevent mold or mildew.
  • Water deeply right after planting to help everything settle and to encourage deep root growth.
  • For the first week, water daily, especially in warm weather. After that, check soil moisture by sticking your finger in the soil—if the top 1–2 inches feel dry, it’s time to water.
  • Mornings are best for watering—this reduces evaporation and gives plants time to dry before nightfall.
  • Mulch helps! Once plants are up, you could add a layer of straw, dried leaves, or even shredded newspaper to help retain moisture and reduce weeds.