posted October 07, 2004 10:58 AM         

I also wanted to mention, Isis, that sheet mulching or "lasagna gardening" is a good method for planting a lawn as well. The layers in a lasagna bed create a dense barrier to light, without which weeds won't grow. Of course, you have to make sure that you leave the the bottom newspaper layer intact so that no light at all reaches the weeds. Here is some info specifically about planting a lawn:

"The best time to plant grass seed is spring or early fall. Follow the same procedure you would to create a new garden bed, starting with the wet newspaper. Alternate layers of fine organic materials such as peat moss, finely chipped leaves, or screened compost to make a bed just 3 to 4 inches high. Lightly rake the top of the bed to make sure it's smooth and level, then scatter the grass seed. Rake the area again to lightly cover the seed, and gently tap the bed surface with the back of your rake so the seed makes contact with the materials in the bed. Mulch lightly with straw or hay, and keep the area well watered. Don't rush to cut the grass when it appears! Remember, the grass is growing in just a few inches of surface material, and it needs time to anchor itself through the paper and into the soil beneath. Mow too soon, and you'll ruin your efforts. Let the grass grow to 8 inches or more before cutting. When you're ready to mow, set your mower at the highest possible setting so you remove only a few inches of growth." - from Lasagna Gardening for Small Spaces

Also, with this kind of planting, if some weed seeds do manage to plop into your beds, it's a lot easier to dislodge them when they start to grow simply because there is such little raw surface material and they haven't yet had a chance to anchor themselves firmly in the ground.
Hope your garden is doing well.