View full sizeA retired mower rests where lawn used to be. Proper preparation generally makes jobs a lot easier, and preparing lawn for a different use is no exception. If you're thinking of turning some (or all) of your high-maintenance lawn into garden beds or vegetable plots, here's an easy way to prepare:
• In fall, spread a layer of compost or manure over sod; cover with cardboard or 10 to 12 layers of newspaper. Over that, spread another layer of compost or manure and cover it all with black plastic.
• Leave it over the winter (four to six months), and take off the plastic in spring.
• Now you're ready to plant.
-- Homes & Gardens staff
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