How to Prepare Soil for Gardening

Instead of digging deep, you can use a technique called lasagna gardening to increase the richness of your soil.

You will need a garden shovel, a tarp, three old newspapers, a garden hose, a small bale of peat moss or coir, about two dozen eggshells, about a pound of old coffee grounds, and a basket of leaves or grass clippings (optional: a compost pile).

1. Lay your garden tarpaulin flat next to the area where you're going to turn the soil. Create an open plot in your garden by removing the top six inches of soil with your shovel and placing it on the tarpaulin. 2. Separate the newspaper pages and place three layers of paper in the plot. Gently wet the newspapers until they're damp but not soggy. 3. Open your bale of peat moss (or coir) and lay down a layer about one inch thick on top of the newspapers. 4. Scoop up the rotting eggshells and coffee grounds with your shovel and spread a thin layer of this kitchen waste over the peat moss, creating a compost heap in the corner of your yard. 5. Dump the basket of leaves or grass clippings on top of the kitchen waste and spread them evenly in the garden plot. 6. Scoop the soil off the tarpaulin and place it on top of the leaves, making sure to spread it evenly. 7. Gently water the top layer until it's wet but not muddy. You can then plant flowers or vegetables right away in your garden plot, or let the organic materials cook in the sun for several weeks to enrich the soil.

No information provided in the subtitles.

Yes, having a compost pile makes an excellent layer in your garden lasagna.

No specific time mentioned in the subtitles, but it is suggested to let them cook in the sun for several weeks to enrich the soil.