Hi Sadie, Either method is great for me! For Lasagna Beds it's really according to what materials I have on hand. Don's method is quick and you get a good upper body work out with it. But to trully answer your question,since you are moving Don's method would seem to be better because all you need is a shovel and a good muscle soak afterwards! Then as time goes on you can use either one!

The Garden Pooter!

I think the biggest difference between them is that there is no digging for the lasagna method while Donn's method requires you to dig up the sod. If digging is no problem then Donn's method might be best. If you find digging sod up too difficult then use the lasagna method.
Joann

I would have to agree with The Garden Pooter, although, if you can come up with greens and browns, it sure is a lot easier on the back and shoulders. DH and I made a lasagna bed last year. covered it with black plastic and let it do it's thing for half of a year. this spring it was ready for the planting and looks really nice if I do say so myself. I have heard that you can create instant layered beds and plant in them all on the same day as well. Good luck with whatever you decide and keep us posted!

bed just after layering but before covering it.
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bed now after it has been planted and mulched
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My preference is as follows...

If you can dig up the sod, Donn's method. If you can't dig up the sod, lasagna the place. I will usually let the lasagna sit for a season though and you won't have the time.

I wanted to put a garden along the ditch on our front lawn in this space around the birch...
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... and here it is a couple of weeks later with Buddleias and winter sown newbies last year in late August I think.
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You should see everything filling in this year.

You won't kill all the sod which you turn over but if you are diligent about weeding it once a week the task becomes less tedious. Now I can go by a couple of weeks without seeing any weeds resurface from the old lawn. The soil is really beautiful.

I make lagnas in areas where we've cleared the brush - too many roots for me to start dealiing with it.

Thank you everyone! Some people, when moving to a new house, worry about unpacking/decorating...all I care about is getting my garden planted. I was sad to leave my old plants behind but thank goodness I found this forum...I would not have been able to afford to landscape my new garden without winter sowing. I also had no idea how successful WS would be! Will keep you all posted as summer progresses. thank you for letting me lurk and learn from the veterans.

My goodness Sadie, that is challenging - planting your gardens in the middle of moving and getting settled in a new house! But the unpacking can wait, right? :)

I am making lasagne beds on an ongoing basis, but usually let them sit for six months or so, and then they are easy to work, weeds and Vinca are gone, roots die off, etc.

So when I need an instant bed, there's no way around breaking my back and digging in this yard. Too many weeds, brush, roots, etc. to clear out. I like to dig in at least 2-3 of compost and leaves, then plant.