Composting is an important part of any garden.

A specific method of composting is called lasagna gardening, and it is easy. You don't have to remove grass weeds, and you don't have to work the soil at all. The first layer of your lasagna garden consists of newspaper placed directly on top of the grass or weeds in the area; what a great way to keep using The Herald-Whig.

It's important to use a minimum of three sheets; I like to use whole sections naturally folded in half. Wet this layer down to keep everything in place and start the decomposition process. The grass or weeds underneath will break down fairly quickly because they will be smothered by the newspaper, as well as by the materials layered on top.

This layer also provides a dark, moist area to attract earthworms that will loosen up the soil as they tunnel through it.

Some tips:

* Anything you'd put in a compost pile, you can put into a lasagna garden. I like to layer used coffee grounds that I get at local coffee shops. Ask; I bet they'd love to share. I also peruse the box stores for 'broken bag' sales of composted materials.

* You'll want to alternate layers of "browns" such as fall leaves and pine needles with layers of "greens" such as vegetable scraps, garden trimmings and grass clippings.

* Fall is an optimum time for many gardeners because of the amount of organic materials you can get for free thanks to fallen leaves and general yard waste from cleaning up the rest of the yard and garden. You can let the lasagna garden sit and break down all winter. By spring, it will be ready to plant in with little effort. Plus, fall rains and winter snow will keep the materials in your lasagna garden moist, which will help them break down faster.

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This column will return March 1, but keep sending your questions; I will answer them by e-mail at sfernandez@whig.com.