Prepping for Winter

     With cold fall nights coming more frequently, it is time to start to think about preparing your summer garden for winter.  I start this process late in October or early in November.  Usually around the time I switch the thermostat on!     There are several tasks that I perform before winter arrives. Below is my typical to do list.

 1. The first is preparing any winter crops that may be in the garden such as Brussels sprouts, leeks, kale, etc.  I clean out any weeds around them and mulch them well to protect from the cold temperatures until they are ready for harvesting.  

2.  I then begin to tackle all fall leaves and weeds that have accumulated in my garden.  The leaves will be added to the compost pile, taking care not to add seeds as well.  Be sure to grab any crops you may have missed earlier!

3.  Another necessary job however daunting it may be is to clean out the never ending rocks. These just seem to multiply!  Once this is done, I then till the soil.  Doing this will help to cut down on the growth in the spring.  

4.  It is important to test your soil and see where everything stands.  If the soil is lacking nutrients, an option would be to plant a ground cover.  There are many to choose from, a couple reliable choices would be winter rye or winter wheat.  Come spring this will be tilled under.  If the soil test is fine, I will still add some organic compost and till into the soil.

5.  Now is a good time to take a moment and plan out your garden for the upcoming planting season.  If necessary, this is the time to expand and begin to prep the soil for spring.  The easiest way to accomplish this is with a rototiller.  Not everyone has access to this tool, and may need to use a spade.  My family and I have such a large garden and wonderful neighbors that bring their horses and plow over to help us break ground!  Once broken, remember to add compost and till in the soil.

 6.  Finally, don't forget to clean up all of those great tools that help us out each season.  Repair the ones that may need it and wash and store the rest.  Rubbing linseed oil on your wooden handles will help to keep them protected and prolong the life of your tools.  Wash and store all tomato cages and any trellis you may have.  Don't forget your hoses at cleanup time, drain and store them from the harsh elements of winter too!  

     With the fall garden work now done, you can now sit back and relax and dream of what is to come in the spring!

     

     

     

     

      

Creating Your Ideal Compost Bin

Their are several different options to build your compost bin, from a simple compost pile to a large variety of compost bins. Everyone seems to have a different opinion of what works best, no one way is incorrect.

Compost can be made in a pile on the ground or in a container that you either build yourself or purchase. There is a large array of materials that can be used to build your own compost bin at home.

Materials to build a compost bin

• Wood


• Brick


• Concrete blocks


• Wire mesh


• Fencing


• Durable cloth panels

Compost tumblers that are available for purchase are typically made of heavy duty plastic and are barrell shaped. This alleviates the need to turn the pile. Compost bins come in numerous designs, from simple and inexspensive mesh or fencing to aestetically pleasing and durable containers.

A handy time saver....

I find it to be helpful to have the compost area close to my garden for a few reasons. Like most I have a very busy schedule and find it saves me much time and energy to compost right at my garden site. There are many ways to make your compost area blend in to its surroundings. The compost bins that are availble for purchase are dark in color which allows them to blend in to a shady background. Some have put decorative fencing around the bin to mask it.

For many years now I have used the method of having the pile on the ground and had success, but to be honest with you, I grow tired of having to turn the heavy compost. I will be purchasing a compost tumbler that relieves me of that much dreaded chore. Happy Composting!

A Fresh Heap of Compost

Do you know what compost is? I am often surprised to find out how many people have not heard of it! Compost is simply comprised of decomposing organic materials. This consists of some food waste, scraps from the yard and garden, and other bits of organic matter. Compost is the best soil conditioner any gardener could add to produce a much more bountiful harvest. Now who wouldn't want that for their garden?

Compost serves many wonderful purposes in our gardens. It improves soil texture, helps to retain moisture in our gardens, aids in drainage and increases the overall fertility of the soil. Compost is not considered to be a fertilizer, as it is so very rich and diverse in nutrients that it is considered to be more of a soil conditioner. Often times, no fertilizers are necessary when compost is added regularly to the garden.

Food waste to include in the compost:

• Wet (green) material
• vegetable peelings
• green plant pieces

• Dry material
• shredded leaves
• grass clippings
• dry weeds

What not to incluse in the compost:

• anything with fats and oils
• meat scraps and bones
• seeds, fruit pits, these may bring critters
• diseased or pest infested plants
• human or pet waste
• anything treated with herbicides or pesticides

It is crutial for the compost to have a balance of wet and dry layers. This will allow for an adequate balance between nitrogen and carbon. I have been told that rock powder can be added to enrich the soil, but to be honest with you, I have never done this and my compost has worked beautifully for the last several years. The finished compost will look dark in color and crumbly. Compost is great for all types of plants. A layer can be spread over the entire garden. I often times will use a large portion of the compost I have and till it into my garden in the early spring. Throughout the rest of late spring and early summer I place a mound of compost around the base of the plants to act as a mulch. Then, after the harvest is over, I spread some more compost over the surface of the garden to serve almost as blanket throughout the fall, allowing the soil to rest and slowly absorb the nutrients over the winter.

Mother Earth News...An Enjoyable Read for All

Mothers Earth News is a magazine filled with earth friendly solutions to leading a self sustaining life style. More and more our society seems to be striving to reach the same goal, to become closer to our Mother Earth and to reach our own personal goals of becoming self sustaining.