The island garden is "sleeping" now waiting for spring to see how well we have done. The final phases were to finish planting and then to spread leaf mulch over everything. This form of gardening is called lasagna gardening because you build it in layers. No need to kill the grass or till the soil. Much easier on the back. It is recommended that a trench is dug to outline the bed and prevent the grass roots from entering next year. Steve was my trencher. Going around the neighborhood collecting piles of mown grass clippings and shredded leaves this time of year is easy. It almost feels like stealing when everyone has them all piled up and sitting there waiting for the taking. I have been driving around with a garbage can in the back of the Jeep and pick up a load whenever I see one. This picture shows the beginning of the mulching process. I still hadn't planted the native grasses here either.
This is just another view or the mulching and below is with the grasses planted. I am trying to take several views of the garden to help remind me next spring how things are suppose to look.
Finally we have here the trench and most of the leaf mulch in place. As Steve dug out the trench we decided that the West side needed to be a little rounder so the bed got just a little bigger. Space for a few more plants next spring.
How beautiful the fall colors are this year so the last picture is just out the back yard. We never tire of the view.
The Three year garden process is that in year one the garden sleeps. Year Two it creeps, and in year three it leaps with full glory.
