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How to convert a lawn section into an organic vegetable garden in USA

It happens that maybe you got bored with lawn grass or you are not getting good quality vegetables in the market and want to grow them organically but you don't have much space. Don't worry if you want then you can turn your lawn section into a garden in the true sense. 

You don't need to convert the whole lawn but a small section is enough for seasoning vegetables that you can grow all naturally. 

I'll help you troubleshoot most of the problems while converting a lawn section into a vegetable garden. Let's discuss this in more detail.

Converting a lawn section into a vegetable garden

For those who already have some experience using gardening tools, lawn care, and maintenance, it is easy for them to convert lawns into a garden. But here, I want to mainly focus on beginners(though it will helpful for intermediates).

Converting a lawn into a vegetable garden in USA

But before telling you the method and requirements, I want you to know(as I always do) some difficulties as beginners do most of the time.

Mistakes that beginners do

I admit that beginners may feel some difficulties while converting a lawn portion into a vegetable garden. Let's discuss them in brief- 

  • Removing turf

Turf removal may create some problems for beginners. It is not a difficult job but beginners may lack the right method of removing turf. They generally make mistakes while deciding the depth of turf and pulling out a clean cutting of turf. 

  • Ignoring acidic soil

After turf removal, acidic soil creates problems in further gardening plants. It directly affects the growth of leafy vegetables and other plants as well. Without treatment of soil, beginners just move further to the next steps of gardening most of the time.

  • Wrong selection of fertilizers

Although organic fertilizers are very helpful plants' needs and soil conditions matter when choosing organic fertilizers. You can't use acidic natural organic fertilizers with acidic soil and beginners do the same mistake.

  • Forget to make a fencing

It is important to make fencing if you are converting a lawn space into a vegetable garden. Avoiding or ignoring fencing can be a big mistake. Pets and other animals may disturb the garden's growth. 

I admire your care for your pets but most beginners let their pets walk into the garden which is not a good thing. 

Requirements 

You can't be so particular while converting a lawn section into a garden area as you care about the particular plant requirement. In this case, you have to consider a general requirement that applies to most of the garden vegetable plants- 

Tools required 

  • Spade 
  • Hoe
  • Plowing machine
  • Fencing(net fencing)
  • Wooden poles
  • Turf cutter and removal
  • Small cultivator tools

Materials required

  • Organic compost
  • Wood ash 
  • Vermicompost

Steps to convert a lawn into a garden(veggie)

Here, I'm giving you a general method and guide to converting a lawn into a vegetable garden. This is applicable to almost every lawn in warm climate regions. In cool climates, you need some adjustment because their turf types are very different from these. 

Step 1- Measurement and marking

Measure and mark the area in your lawn which you want to convert into a vegetable garden. 

Step 2- Remove the turf

Use turf cutters and remove the marked turf from the lawn. You can use this turf in other areas of your lawn if there is some need for lawn grass improvement or dead grass.

Step 3- Soil inspection

Take a soil inspection. Most of the time, the soil remains acidic. Take a lab sample of the soil. 

Step 4- Further soil treatment

If the soil is too acidic(<5) then you need to use some organic alkaline materials. And for that, wood ash is so effective. But don't use it in a very large amount. Just sprinkle a very thin layer of 1cm all around the soil. 

Step 5- Plowing the land

Now plow your land with a spade or hoe. You can also use a machine for plowing. 

Step 6- Fencing around the garden

Make fencing at the boundaries of this not-prepared garden. Use wooden poles and net fencing. 

Step 7- Fertilization 

Although, you can apply fertilizers like vermicompost or organic compost to the soil surface and then plow. But if you are doing it in moderate climate conditions then you can also apply fertilizers after plowing but you need to at least mix it with soil. It will increase your efforts but the results will be the same. 

Step 8- First irrigation

Now, you need to make the soil moist enough for sowing seeds, cuttings, and further germination. Either install a sprinkler system or use manual irrigation. 

Step 9- Land division for vegetable variety

Now, divide the garden area into sections. In these particular sections, you can grow several varieties of vegetables.

Step 10- Common problems

Your lawn garden will need regular weeding in the future as it is over a lawn surface. Although you did your best to avoid them they may appear. So don't worry, you just need regular weeding.

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