Welcome to Good Chicken Gardens! Today, I’m excited to share my experience of transforming a section of my grass yard into a thriving food garden plot using a simple no-till method. This technique is not only environmentally friendly but also incredibly efficient. With just a few hours of work, you can set up a productive garden bed that will yield a bountiful harvest. Here’s how I did it.

Materials You’ll Need
- Cardboard or paper chicken feed bags
- Mushroom compost (optional but recommended)
- Cow manure compost (optional but recommended)
- Chopped leaf litter for mulch
- Water source (hose)
Step 3: Adding Compost
Once the cardboard is soaked, spread a layer of mushroom compost and cow manure compost over the top. I used a mix of both to provide a rich, nutrient-dense base for my plants. The compost layer should ideally be about 3-4 inches thick.

Step 4: Mulching
Step 5: Planting
After preparing the bed, it’s time to plant. I decided to grow a Three Sisters plot, which includes corn, beans, and squash (or in my case watermelon). The corn provides a structure for the beans to climb, and the watermelon spreads out to cover the ground, acting as a living mulch.
To plant the corn, I poked holes through the cardboard layer directly into the soil beneath. Because the cardboard was soaked and mushy, this step was easy. Plant the corn seeds about 1-2 inches deep and cover them with compost and mulch.
Step 6: Watering
Results and Benefits

After just 2 hours of work, I set up a garden plot that promises a harvest this season. This no-till method has several advantages:
- Soil Health: It preserves the soil structure and promotes beneficial organisms.
- Moisture Retention: Mulch helps retain moisture, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Ease of Setup: It’s a quick and straightforward method that doesn’t require heavy machinery or intensive labor.
Conclusion
Happy gardening!