Fertile Soil Islands- part II

When going with the fertile soil island approach for converting lawn to garden be sure to be generous with the amount of good soil you put into each spot.  This is especially important if you have much clay under your lawn.  If too little soil is used, the roots of the plant you put into it may become root bound similar to that of a plant which is planted in a small pot.  For cuccumbers, squash, zuchinni, pumpkins, peppers, and egg plant; three large shovel fulls of soil removed and replaced with good soil should suffice.  For tomatoes, use enough soil to fill a five gallon bucket.  For potatoes, don't remove the poor soil for creating a hole to put in good soil.  Instead, break up the clay soil and mix in some good soil.  For leafy greens, forget the fertile soil island approach and build yourself a raised bed over the lawn using the sheet mulching technique.