TheMondayGarden.com

Smother the unwanted sod. It's that simple. The basic idea: Outline the new garden area. I like to use bricks; some people use an old garden hose or dig a shallow trench. Then, spread mulch on the unwanted grass. Check for trees or shrubs roots under the new garden, as more than 2" of mulch will smother their roots. Every couple of weeks, cover any grass that's poked up and pull the weeds. After the sod's rotted out (several months), prepare for planting by digging down 12" to 18" and mixing in 1/4 peat with the old mulch and rotted sod.

Soil Screening: For great plants and easier planting, use a screen to break compost and soil into small pieces and remove debris. You end up with soil like chocolate pudding. Garden centers sell soil screens. Purists, and people trying to stretch the bucks, can make one by stapling a piece of hardware cloth with 1/2" mesh to any sturdy frame that fits over a garbage can or wheel barrow. (Use reclaimed rocks and pebbles as mulch for the hot-dry section of your garden, path edgings, etc.)

Faster method: If you don't have to worry about tree and shrub roots, you can put a layer of newspaper or other thick composting material under the mulch. Or just put down more mulch. Some people (who are not purist) put down a thick piece of black plastic with ventilation holes, weighed with rocks and disguised with mulch. Purists dig up the sod and turn it over before mulching.

Fall Leaves Method: If you're starting the new bed in the fall for spring planting, first give yourself accolades for long-term planning. Then, outline the bed as above, put down newspaper, then rake your fall leaves on top. Weigh down with newspaper, branches, burlap, etc. Unless you like weeding, don't include any unwanted plants with seeds in your pile.

Instant Garden method: You can short-cut the process by first outlining the bed, then digging a few deep holes through the sod for the must-put-in-right-now bushes or perennials. Make holes about twice the size of the plants' current root balls and 12" to 18" inches deep. Screen the soil from the holes, mix in your peat and plant away. Then mulch the rest of the new bed over the sod. Once the sod's deteriorated enough to break up (or when you get around to it), properly dig the rest of bed.

Creeping Edge method: Every year, move the garden edge out about a foot, mulch the sod in the new part. Dig up and prepare last year's edge, then fill it with your expanding perennials. Add stepping stone stones access the garden interior.