Winterizing Veggie Garden

Latest post Wed, Sep 23 2009 8:44 AM by Doug Oster. 1 replies.
  • Wed, Sep 16 2009 3:00 PM

    Winterizing Veggie Garden

    Hi Doug,

    I'm curious, once my fall crop is finished, what is the best approach to putting my garden to bed?  I've heard leaf mulch, plating rye, adding lime, etc.  I'm not sure which is the best approach.

    Also, I want to expand it for next season.  I have grass in that area now, should I tear out the grass now or wait for spring to extend it? 

    Thanks so much!  I've enjoyed your videos all summer.

  • Wed, Sep 23 2009 8:44 AM In reply to

    Re: Winterizing Veggie Garden

    Actually all those things are a pretty good thing to do in the fall. Here's how I do it.

     

    First job is removing all the dead plant material anything that's not diseased goes into the compost pile.

    Winter rye is a great way to hold good soil in place and add nutrients when dug in next spring.

    I like to add organic matter in the fall, then winter rye if possible.

    Then I mulch the beds with straw, a light coat if it has winter rye, a heavier one if it's just a naked bed.

    As far as adding lime goes, the only way to know how much to add is to get a soil test from the Penn State Cooperative Extension. You can get it directly from them or at a good nursery.

    If you have time, I would ammend and extend that bed now so it's ready to go early in the spring.

    Thanks for watching the videos, I'm having lots of fun doing them. This week is about planting trees.

Page 1 of 1 (2 items) | RSS