Saratoga Ginkgo (Lazy) Bed Extension (Part 1) - Front Yard - April 2026

Lazy bed extensions were listed as a "Fall Project" in my 2026 to-do list.  And, I need to do that.  But, I also wanted to use the time I had this Spring by knocking some of the bed extensions off my list while I could in March and April. 

I've posted a few times already when I first extended and reshaped the front yard island bed.  Then, I did an initial expansion on the southside of the house in the cut flower foundation beds.  

Today, I'm doing an initial expansion of the small corner bed that I call the "Saratoga Bed" because it features the tiny Saratoga Ginkgo tree along with some Little Henry Sweetspire Spirea shrubs.  

By now, I've laid out the elements of my lazy bed extensions:

1.  Cardboard to smother the existing turf grass.

2.  A mix of (municipal) biosolids, leaf litter and composted manure + topsoil.

3.  Time.

Here, below, is the 'before' photo.  The bed needs more breathing room by extending things outward.  Note...the snow hanging around:

Starting with some cardboard strips:

Then leaf litter (I forgot to take photos of the carbons) and biosolids, composted manure and topsoil:

I mentioned previously that usually these bed extensions take multiple days because I only go get one load of biosolids at a time and want to cover the cardboard totally.  These beds need some better shaping, so that's what comes next.  

Below is an annotated version that approximates what I envision for this section with some nice curves.  I'd like to try to mirror the island bed curves, but leave myself the option to (eventually) connect them together - without creating a HUGE AMOUNT OF BLANK SPACE. 

I'll post again when I add the edges and expand this bed to the final form.  I don't have enough cardboard right now, so you'll find me digging through my neighbors recycling bins from the curb.