You Grow Girl™

Sod conversion takes more time. To start a sod conversion, layer newspapers (at least seven sheets thick) or plastic over grass. Garden centres sell a thick black plastic made for this purpose, but layers of newspapers will work just as well, and they're free and ecologically friendly. If plastic is used, it has to be removed once the grass dies, and replaced by mulch. Newspapers will simply decompose over time. Cover newspapers with a thick layer of compost (six to twelve inches). Once the grass is covered, it will decompose over six to eight weeks. The newspaper will decompose more slowly. The grass becomes soil-improving compost, and at the same time creates air pockets in the soil. After eight weeks have passed, dig into the compost, cut through the newspaper if needed, and plant or seed your new garden bed. You'll likely want to prevent weeds by adding mulch.

This method is a lot less work than sod removal. There's no need to get out the spade or cultivate the soil beneath the grass. But it takes patience. Don't plant too soon: the heat generated during composting can burn plantings.

How do these two methods compare cost-wise? They come out about even. Either way, you'll have to spend money on mulch and compost, and with sod removal, on a good quality soil mix, unless you have a huge supply already.

Whatever method you choose, plan on mulching. Mulch is amazing stuff. It stops weeds from growing, holds moisture much better than soil, and it prevents erosion too. The most affordable method of mulching is a combination of newspapers and any other mulching material. Unattractive but practical newspaper will stop weeds from spouting, so that a thinner layer of any other mulch can be applied overtop. Cedar chips, straw, and compost are three popular mulches. Cedar chips are a good-looking, but pricey, mulch. Compost works well, though weeds may take hold eventually. So does straw. It's cheap, though a lot of people find it `messy looking' or `unattractive'. Also, garden centres rarely sell straw, and if they do, it's overpriced. A better source of straw is a local horse or cow farm.

Whatever method you choose, be patient. It takes at least two years for a new garden to really fill out and start to bloom and grow. It's going to look a bit thin at first. And keep in mind that the soil in your garden will feed your plants for years to come. The better the soil, the better the garden.