How to Sheet Mulch a Garden Bed

[@froggo6981]

You saved me an entire day of back breaking work (and possible heat stroke) digging up half my lawn for a massive garden bed. And you make it look so effortless that I even planned a cute little bonus garden by my sidewalk, if I don't have to dig up grass using cardboard.... My lawn is not safe from me! It will be a beautiful garden by next summer... Thank you Jay!

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Outstanding!!!

[@georgiameier4990]

I made an entire garden bed using cardboard and newspapers. It's called lasagna composting. I laid it directly on the grass area I wanted to turn into a garden bed ,and then covered it with bags of topsoil.

[@WorldArtToursnet]

Yes. Don't do the back breaking work when you can be lazy and nourishment soil by sheet mulching. Make sure you wet the ground and cardboard for quick degeneration.

[@rimuruslime23]

​@@WorldArtToursnet Should I plant first and then do the cardboard? Or can I plant on top of the cardboard?

[@michellepope2829]

​@rimuruslime23 did anyone ever answer you? I was wondering the same thing.

[@jeaniedickman6421]

The plant matter that dies underneath the cardboard will feed the soil and worms will come up and start breaking down the plant matter, cardboard and, over time, eventually the wood mulch too. Your soil will get better drainage, and better texture and soil structure. It’s a really great choice! 🥰

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Absolutely!

[@rjhyden]

Love to see smarter, not harder, brilliant work. Thank you!

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Thank you so much! 🌱🌱

[@rjhyden]

@@jaysgardenjournal It looks like you are gardening in sandy soil, mine here in East Central Texas is a gray sand.

[@untenableposition3057]

I love the speeded up part of the video. Saves so much time on the part of viewers. The end result is beautiful. And I love your mix of yellow and pink flowers and foliage!

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Thank you! 🌱🌱🌱🌷

[@em3831]

I love this, thank you!! So inspiring. Just started sheet mulching and now feel like i can do my whole yard. :)

[@jaysgardenjournal]

How exciting!

[@sarahkaryn1289]

Great demo using everyday items; and thank you for filming it step by step. Best wishes!!!

[@jaysgardenjournal]

You are so welcome!

[@HoustonKeith72]

Wonderful video! You've helped open my eyes to new possibilities in my yard other than dozens of pots! haha! Concise and straightforward! And you bed is beautiful.

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sbingham1979]

This was really enjoyable to watch, as I am getting ready to do a similar mulch project...I also liked the music in the background!

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Thank you so much!🌱☺️

[@ruthdrews496]

I grew up on this method and I’m 70….I have my chewy boxes in my beds now. I haven’t decided what I’m going to plant yet as I have half sun and shade in the area, but I wanted to get a head start on knocking down the grass and weeds…great video….

[@LeeB5]

Happy to see this has caught on! 30 years ago when I began using newspapers/cardboard instead of digging my beds, my neighbors all teased me about it…they don’t anymooooore😆😁😁🥰🥰🥰 Your gardens are lookin’ good❣️👍🏼❣️👍🏼❣️

[@jaysgardenjournal]

It’s such a great method!! Happy gardening!

[@ruthblack1996]

Hi Jay, I really love these before and after videos where we’re able to see the transformation right away🤩

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Thanks for watching and thank you for the feedback! 🌱

[@elizabethpaints]

So much enjoyed your video! I've been researching the cardboard technique and I so much appreciate your particular way of doing it. It's early September in Dallas, Texas, and I'm going to start using cardboard to set up my yard for the spring. So glad I found your channel!

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Glad it was helpful!🌱🌱🌱

[@jacksonharlem2281]

Incredible work, sister! 🔥Just did this inside my garden beds. So excited❤‍🔥

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Thank you so much! Happy gardening🌱🌱

[@jimkingsland1645]

WOW! What a transformation! Totally agree with other commenters you make it look so easy. Very inspiring! Thank you!

[@pagenelson328]

I just "found" and subscribed to Jay's Garden Journal. If this video is an example of her posts, she's someone to watch regularly. A very natural, relaxed, enjoyable and well-done work of KZbin art. (Terrific use of music.) Thank you, Jay.

[@oldvillagefarm1348]

I also sheet mulch. We have a local appliance store that lets me take all the cardboard I want from their dumpster. I can get some very large sheets. Which is great when your doing a large area. Great video! 😊

[@IowaKim]

Wow! That made your plants just pop. Before they were lost. Very nice.

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Indeed! Thanks for visiting the garden!

[@ritapedemonte3201]

Che bella idea ! Lo farò anch'io in una piccola aiuola .grazie sei fantastica

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Thank you so much! Thank you for visiting the garden!

[@OhAnne-wx4kw]

Love this video, it’s very helpful to hear your thought process. I used sheet mulching to more than triple my planter area, and I’m not done yet. My only thought is to remind your viewers not to smother plants with to thick a mulch.

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Thank you! 🍂🍂🍂

[@WrenCottage302]

What a difference! Your garden looks great. Thanks for letting us see how you did it.

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Absolutely! Happy gardening! 🌱🌱🌱

[@maryford-mccourt547]

I did this with newspapers,12 sheets thick, for years in my vegetable garden (since about 1990). I used the red mulch and my garden was beautiful and weed free all year. The following spring, mulch of the paper was deteriorated and composted into the ground. Your flower bed looks amazing!

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Thank you! 🌱🌱

[@bambinaforever1402]

Newspaper for mulch for vegetable garden? Maybe u think again. Why would anyone eat toxic newspaper

[@sherchrist4488]

i was wondering if you could just use newspaper.

[@stillfouroneone4603]

This is THE BEST gardening with cardboard newspaper add soil mulch directions ever. I have looked at many mansplaining ( duh) etc and I finally get the idea with more clarity THANK you for your rate of speech and enunciation with ever step!!!

[@solsticesummer982]

Wow. That cleaned that area up relatively easily. Looks nice. Love the Charlie Brown kind of music ☺️☺️☺️💕

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Thank you!!🌱🌱

[@TheHolywren]

Love this video.I was told old school way of breaking,digging and tilling damages the soil’s biological balance.This lasagna method was suggested so helpful to see a demonstration of the method.Love your hat

[@denastrauss]

Thank you so much for sharing the video of how it looked later in June. You’ve given me hope for my hopelessly overgrown flower bed in the home we just moved into.

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Thank you so much! Happy gardening🌱🌱

[@vetgirl71]

Beautiful transformation & garden! Thanks for sharing this great technique for us amateur gardeners! 😊👏🏾❤️🙌🏾

[@jaysgardenjournal]

You are so welcome!

[@jmo2104]

I do this all the time and it works so well. Thank you very much for showing people how! However I do not add the soil on top of the newspaper cuz then the weeds will just layer up on top of that. Put down some mulch spray some water on it and put down more mulch will hold it just as effectively if not more. I also blend shredded hardwood with pine mulch (not pine nuggets) and the combination is really good for your soil and the plants and it helps to lock in the mulch. Gorgeous gorgeous job! Wow❤

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Nice method! Happy gardening!

[@hollywoodmomof3]

So very thankful to have found your inspirational content! I’ve been hopelessly staring at a very overgrown, weedy fence line! I’m so ready to incorporate this method! WOWWWW! 🥰

[@carolhancock5152]

look at Charles Dowding if you are interested in no dig gardening

[@hollywoodmomof3]

Is it anything different than the content here? Trying to keep it simple! 😉

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Go for it, Lisa! Keep it super simple!

[@catsmith7234]

Later, plants may breach, dig out the spot, apply more cardboard, mulch, grass clippings, leaf mold, shredded bark, compost. No worries. Love the method. No Dig Garden is a good method for low energy gardener's.

[@sandrataylor9122]

Thank you for your video I wish I had your inspiration prior to digging up and mulching my "weed gardens." !!!

[@lindagear9014]

Thank you for this. a bed that looks more like we are all having to deal with. Other sites show the technique but always starting with simpler or new beds, mine are like yours lots of plants to work around with the grass and of course - weeds. The newspaper bit was very useful as well. This is my first visit to your site but certainly not the last. Subscribed and thanks again.

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Thank you so much, Linda! 🌱🌱 happy gardening to you!

[@celavie3473]

I have opened a 50m2 garden by hard digging up the lawn, stressed 😩. So fortunate to watch this video, no stress anymore for the garden plans on the agenda. Thank you.

[@jaysgardenjournal]

I learned my lesson after doing the same thing

[@angelahutton9494]

Wow! Thank you! So inspirational! The transformation is beautiful!

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Thank you so much!

[@leavesofmytree]

This is amazing! Thank you so much. I feel prepared to so my own lawn now. I'm so inspired and can't wait to get started. 😍

[@jeanthehumanbean8265]

Thank you for posting this! I've been saving cardboard but really had no idea how to install it. Your method made me confident that I could do the same! I'm going on 64 years young so any labor-saving methods are appreciated!

[@jaysgardenjournal]

You're very welcome!

[@beverlybenson9981]

Just came across your channel. Thank you for the video. This will save me a lot of back-breaking work. 🌱🌿☘️

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Absolutely, Beverly! 🌱🌱🌱

[@debraleong5519]

So pretty, thank you my dear. Such a great idea. Be well. 🙏

[@jaysgardenjournal]

You are so welcome. Thank you! 🌱🌱

[@rainy4036]

Great idea! Your after result is amazing, good job!

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Thank you! 😊

[@carolyn8033]

Beautiful. Your hard work shows inthe results..

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Thank you so much 😊

[@3dchick]

I'm doing this with a pathetic strip of grass in my front yard. It's never grown well because of shade from the trees. So nice to see the results! Love it! ❤❤❤

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Go for it!

[@gbltheolechurch5acrehomestead]

Very interesting Jay! Cardboard works very well to start a No Dig Garden! Thanks for sharing your techniques.

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Thank you for watching!

[@maryd6745]

That looks so nice! I appreciate you showing this - I have 'thought' about doing this for a long time - now I need to just do it! Thank-you!

[@jaysgardenjournal]

You can do it! Thank you so much! 🌱🌼🌸

[@sharongrieser3978]

I love this method. Your results are beautiful!

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Thank you! 🌱🌱

[@kayegregory4083]

This is fantastic to know about - thank you so much! (Those Canna Lilies definitely fall into your category of perennials you’ll never need to buy again!!)

[@leahrenee1013]

I have been looking for someone in South Carolina that had a KZbin. I am so thankful I found you on Instagram. This is amazing. I just can’t get out in the garden like I used to and wow thank you for sharing!

[@jaysgardenjournal]

You are so welcome!🌱💚 same here! I used to search for South Carolina gardeners. Also check out The Colorful Gardener’s channel.

[@daynashallenberger6256]

I love this method. I used cardboard once and i had to listen to my husband complain about it looking like we lived way far up in the mountains. You showed me the part that i neglected to do and that is to cover it with mulch. Thanks Jay!

[@ourlittlegingerbreadhouse6000]

Omgosh ❤ I use cardboard in our garden as well its proven to be such a blessing in keeping out grass and weeds

[@jaysgardenjournal]

The best!🌱🌱🌱

[@ourlittlegingerbreadhouse6000]

I'm working on to plant perennial high flowers, for beauty, to fill in some empty spaces and suggestions?

[@rubyk.1506]

Nice! Thanks for making the effort to share this. I am going to do the same thing but thought I had to get all the weeds out first! I prefer your method! 🌿🌞

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Thank you so much! Happy gardening🌱🌱

[@cyn4rest]

Wow. This is the most amazing transition I have ever seen! Thank you for sharing your method . I forgot about watering the cardboard, so thanks for showing that. Really looks nice! New subbie.

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Awesome!

[@kathrynhurst7210]

Love your technique You are a girl after this girls heart. 🌸🌸

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Thank you so much, Kathryn! 🌱🌱

[@avagrego3195]

I use heavy duty cardboard under wood mulch, the worms love it.

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Indeed!

[@Shiftrealities360]

Girl, you got some energy! Thanks for the great idea!

[@evidently1]

Great video! I especially enjoyed the fast-motion sequence of progress in action. I only just started using the cardboard method with last year's new garden, with gratifying results. Thanks for sharing your wonderful gardens there!

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Thank you so much, Robert! Sheet mulching has definitely saved my back and has allowed me to build lots of new beautiful garden spaces. Happy gardening!🌱🌱🌱

[@peek-a-boo2625]

This is perfect timing for me to see this as I am working on a new garden bed! Thanks for sharing xx

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Awesome!

[@alchemydp]

Great demo. Thanks so much for taking the mystery out of this.

[@domestika7640]

Świetny efekt 👍Dopiero zaczynam przygodę z ogrodnictwem, wiele muszę się nauczyć, dlatego dziękuję za cenne wskazówki🙏😊Greetings from Poland🌸🌸🌸

[@jaysgardenjournal]

You are very welcome! Thanks for visiting the garden! 🌱🌱

[@lisamesillas2328]

Soil becomes so rich with nutrients that feed the plants. Looks amazing!🎉

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Yes it does! 🌱🌱🌱

[@lisamesillas2328]

I'm just finishing up my lil project as well. Can't wait for the results!

[@margotbecker9446]

Looking good and working hard! From one sheet mulcher to another!

[@susanWilder2175]

What a treat to watch your ideas and work come to life. Please excuse my directness, but I just want to come in and paint your white shed a dark color, like charcoal grey or grey/green. Sorry can’t help it. The decorator comes out in me. Really inspiring garden. I especially enjoyed your canna surprise.

[@jaysgardenjournal]

I may need to send you my address!🤣😂🤣

[@georgiannacook8874]

How clever! Will be saving cardboard and newspapers. Love your garden.. thank you for this information.

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Absolutely!

[@JaneDoe-ft8sz]

You wet it down to get it to stay in place! I was using duck tape which I didn't care for but didn't know a better way. Thank you! If you were like me somewhere underneath all that would be your long lost box cutter 🤣🤣

[@priscillawatson7049]

such a lovely outcome! thanks for sharing

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Thanks for watching!🌱🌱

[@keithhenderson5852]

Peace and Blessings Sista! ☝🏽❤️

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Thank you so much!🌱☺️

[@farmervee_yt]

Your garden looks fantastic. Thank you so much for sharing your skills.😊

[@jaysgardenjournal]

You are very welcome!

[@karenhansen1945]

Looks fabulous!! Great idea! Thank you for sharing. Your garden is BEAUTIFUL!! 💖🙏

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Thank you for visiting the garden!🌱🌱🌱

[@sunnihunny]

Love this! I've also collected cardboard and am about to create an area for planting with it. I really enjoyed the video and your presentation. Thorough and well done. Many years ago, I had a gorgeous flower bed that I did similar using brown paper grocery bags.. lol.. long long ago.......😂

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@waterdog226]

Well done. I have been saving good boxes to do something like this.

[@cynthiaapplegate8360]

Just discovered you. Great video! I also really enjoyed the music

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@GaiaCarney]

Wow, what beautiful results, Jay’s Garden Journal 🌱 I’m going to try this on some Shiny Geraniums that are spreading everywhere! Thank You 😊

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Awesome!

[@leenad.9784]

Looks gorgeous! i use cardboard as well in my above ground beds where i grow wildflowers.

[@sharonmitchel1377]

This method works so well. I have reclaimed several areas in our Bermuda grass lawn doing this. I have found that once I have reclaimed an area, I occasionally get Bermuda sprouting. I use Ortho Grass-B-Gone spray for spot treatment. It doesn’t hurt the broadleaf plants and easier on my back than digging!

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Sheet mulching has changed my garden life🌱🌱🌱

[@groversings]

This was very helpful! Thank you for sharing!

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Thank you for visiting the garden

[@rc5411]

Nicely done........one thing i like to do is, have a big tote filled with water and soak the cardboard before I put it down.

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Great idea! 🌱🌱🌱

[@ro9831]

Thanks for all the helpful tips, I’m planning a new garden in the back of my yard.

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Awesome!

[@peggykanz179]

So cool ! It turned out beautiful. I wish I could move as fast as you LOL ! My age and health has made me give up a lot of my flower beds.♡♡♡♡♡

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Thank you for visiting the garden, Peggy!🌱💚

[@Adogslife54]

I have been sheet mulching for years and will never go back to any other way. I use cardboard for the large areas and newspaper to fill in the small spaces. Mostly grocery store flyers and junk mail. It’s delivered right to my door! I just have to save it. During the winter, I collect and cut cardboard circles to mulch tree bases and small bushes. There is a mulch supplier about a mile from me where I get clean wood chips in the spring. I layer the new cardboard on the old wood chips from last year. That breaks down and, on occasion, I turn it in to the soil around the plants. Folks have said there are problems with this method but I have never experienced any of the problems folks talk about. Like I said, never going back.

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Awesome! 🌱🌱🌱

[@sellysmith8903]

Lotta work girl! Great job! I'm ready to get to work on my yard! :)

[@jaysgardenjournal]

You got this!

[@daylilywillow9061]

yes yes yes. And this is wonderful for the soil.It feeds worms and breaks down compacted soil.

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Yes it does!

[@juanitawatson596]

Ill have to give cardboard and newspapers a try in my garden. Thank you for sharing.

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Thank you for visiting the garden!🌱🌱🌱

[@roseofsharin]

Laura from How's It Growing recommended your channel and I'm so glad she did.

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Laura is awesome! Thank you! 🌱🌱

[@freyartz]

What a transformation!! It really looks beautiful 😍

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Thank you!! 😊

[@riah54]

So beautiful. Brilliant technique to do a major garden bed upgrade!

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Thank you! 🌱🌱🌱

[@elizabethhallowell5115]

Do you find that using paper & cardboard brings more mice ? Thanks

[@rhondavoos631]

Great video! Very inspiring. I have already started sheet mulching an area of grass that I want to get rid of. Need room to expand my perennials! Thanks!

[@jaysgardenjournal]

You can do it!🌱🌱🌱

[@jasminek6632]

I just have a small garden bed in my yard but I hate how much grass and weeds grow around it. I am going to try this process to give my yard a more polished look

[@lovelight9164]

I'm going to steal that idea for one of my flowerbeds, strangle vine likes to choke out everything in the garden. I pulled out all that I could before mulching but if it comes back again this year. I will be adding a layer or two of cardboard, compost and more mulch.

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Go for it!

[@sharononeal7183]

Wow!! This looks wonderful! Well done!!

[@laureo06]

I’m so glad I found you channel I came across your page on IG !! I love your gardens !!! It’s definitely the motivation I need right now !

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Thank you so much!!💚💚💚

[@jewdd1989]

It’s amazing how simple of a solution yet it looks very well done. Thank you for the update! I currently am battling drought which isn’t anything new but this last year KS among nearby states experienced dust storms that were reminiscent of the dirty thirties plus I have this awful Bermuda grass that won’t die and is killing off my fescue. It’s in my neighborhood so there isn’t an escape as it spreads very easily yet looks dead without consistent watering so I’ve decided to cover 1/3 of my yard with either pea gravel/river rock, crushed stone or cedar mulch and that’s where I have my ibc tote garden beds set up at. I just don’t want to dig out this viney, difficult to dig out grass that’ll only come back if I can’t successfully solarize it as it’s done this in small gardens around the yard. I read that multiple, thick layers of cardboard (3-4 layers) plus landscape fabric will actually keep Bermuda grass from coming back 🤞🏽I hope so, your garden looks great and clean of grass so thank you for sharing!

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Happy gardening to you! 🌱🌱🌱

[@pamelakoo3212]

Wow that looks amazing!!! Really inspiring, im going to give it a try

[@ruthselden8637]

All I can say is,”FANTASTIC”!

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Thank you so much! 🌱🌱

[@campfireaddict6417]

I do this also, and in the back of the yard I lay old carpet strips on top of cardboard. (This is another way to find worms also, if it's kept moist. They love the cardboard.) Putting plastic trash bags under carpet strips kills weeds too. Therapy!

[@ronaldkable]

Beautifully demonstrated, thank you 💚

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Thank you for visiting the garden!🌱🌱🌱

[@amusicment4829]

Awesome!thank you for this amazing idea

[@jaysgardenjournal]

You are so welcome!

[@ieshagreen2430]

Yes your garden looks amazing, thank you for sharing for us 1st time Gardeners

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Absolutely! Happy gardening 🌱🌱

[@kellymack7680]

Lovely - just lovely & so helpful.

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Thank you! 😊

[@cynthiaapplegate8360]

I am doing the same cardboard method in many areas on my property. However, I would rethink the newspaper -- unless things have changed, it's my understanding that the ink contains pretty toxic chemicals. Of course that how he doesn't matter with flowers but with vegetable gardens it could be important.

[@jerrymay3806]

Nice work! And a sweet layout!

[@gracec1665]

Looking good!

[@mermaidripples9302]

WoW Girl! You work Fast 😉 Beautiful Garden 🦋

[@jaysgardenjournal]

Thank you so much 😊

[@annas.r.p.5835]

Love the video ... I used end rolls of newspaper paper from a local print shop ... got 5 for $2 a roll several years ago and I still have some left... just did multiple layers found it blew around less then the regular newspaper ... easy to sculpt around the areas I wanted. ... used multiple layers.

[@jaysgardenjournal]

That is outstanding! Rolls of cardboard are ideal!