Yes. I learned about this method during my Capstone at Portland State University during one of our weekly sessions at the Learning Gardens Laboratory. Let’s take a small area, like the side of a garage for starters.

• Acquire enough free dirt to line your garage 1 1/2′ wide and then however long your garage is.

• In September, line the entire area with cardboard, brown paper, or newspaper. Ensure no grass is showing. Take off all tape.

• Cover the area with your free dirt.

• In a few weeks, the ground should be soft enough to dig freely and you will be ready to begin transplanting.