Time to Put the Garden to Bed

Our recent hard frost is the signal it’s time to put the vegetable garden to bed, a process which includes a complete clean up, improving the garden soil and preparing for next spring. It’s important to remember that what you don’t accomplish in the garden now, you’ll need to do in the spring, when you’re eager to start your garden, not clean it up. Garden chores done now, allow you to focus on planting in the spring, knowing that your garden beds are healthy and your soil is ready. Start with a thorough cleaning of your vegetable garden.  Leaving tomato plants, cucumber vines and other vegetable plant debris in your garden after you've finished harvesting, will provide hiding places for pests and plant diseases, giving them a head start on your garden next spring. The second reason for fall cleanup is to facilitate adding organic material to your garden bed while the soil is warm and workable. 

Healthy soil is key to your garden and a clean garden bed is the ideal time to amend your soil. Plan to add 2" to 3" of organic materials. This can be in the form of packaged organic compost, peat moss and earthworm castings that you can easily transport and work into the garden bed. Adding organic material will improve soil structure and increase microbial activity, which leads to stronger root development and improved nutrient uptake, next season. This is also a good time to apply a one-inch layer of humate, to improve crop nutrient uptake next season. Three, protect your garden soil through the winter with cover crops and mulch.  Winter rye is a good choice for a cover crop. It will survive harsh weather and can be turned over in the spring, improving soil tilth. 

Tree leaves are a good source of organic material in the fall. Shredded leaves can be broadcast over the garden, providing protection for soil structure and microbial life. Come spring, the decomposing leaves can be worked into the garden soil or added to your compost pile. Together, cover crops and organic material will build and maintain healthy, microbial-rich soil, a sure way to improve the yields in your garden.  Make fall garden clean up a part of your routine. It will set up your vegetable garden for a great start next spring.