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Denver, CO

It's always a sad time of the year, looking out over the patch after a hard frost. Looks like a nuclear bomb went off.

Apart from getting things in balance per our fall time soil test, what do you all do for your patches in the fall. What kind of winter cover crops are good. What type of amendments are best now instead of spring. What super secret mojo do you lay down for the long winters nap?? Till it all in, leave it on top??

I am still learning what to do and when so the more help I can get the better!

10/15/2008 11:15:00 PM

Westford, MA

I add #70-90 lb. construction bags of seaweed. My patch is only 3 yrs old so I'm trying to build up the organic matter.
Last year I added 48 bags. I started foor next year, on Columbus Day with 10 bags seaweed. I left them in the bags, added pieces of a rotted pumpkin, 1-1.5 gal.into each,a mix of:Water, 3 cups molasses, 4 cups blood meal, 4 c. worm poop, 2 shovels patch dirt (each bag). loosely tied the top of the bags, and hope to cook them for a couple weeks.
I also started 5 gal. A.C.Tea, which I'll add to each bag.

I 've always turned my reg.garden by hand, though I may take-up George C.'s offer of a Tiller, and move into the mechanical age.

I also picked up a 8lb of winter rye. I know I can grow grass. I'm not certain of the turning it into the patch in the spring process, but I've got all winter to read up on it.
TIP: Get it done before the snow flies.

10/16/2008 10:07:07 AM

Going Green

Question....the pieces of rotten pumpkin can add disease to the soil yes...no?

10/16/2008 11:06:48 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

yes

I hauled all that debris away.

10/16/2008 11:40:42 AM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

FIrst I clean patch.
Then let it get a good freeze

Add some leaves then till and water really well.

that is what i do and it works for me.

10/16/2008 11:58:37 AM

ExtremeVegetables.com

Clean patch
Send in soil sample
Till patch
Add at least 4 inches of compost
Add 140 pounds Gypsum
Till as deep as possible
Plant winter rye
Innoculate with mycorhizzal fungi

10/16/2008 12:43:33 PM

Westford, MA

I haul all the leaves/vines away to avoid adding their problems to the patch.
I'm only 2nd year AG grower, and not sure on the rotting fruit being bad for patch esp if it is composting over the off season.
Dug holes last year, and burried chopped up pumpkins and STUFF, where I would start plants in the spring.
No problems , Yet!?!?!

10/16/2008 1:20:09 PM

[email protected]

Key point brought up, SOIL TEST. That is the key to all of this. After a while you probably know what your patch needs, but the soil test is the key.

I add gypsum, lime, sulfur, tons and tons of cow manuer, leaf compost, and my hubby does all the tilling. I haven't done a cover crop yet, and am considering it this year.

10/16/2008 3:19:02 PM

[email protected]

The pumpkin pieces will not add disease to your soil. THe vines and leaves should be hauled away as theymay overwinter disease and bugs, but the pumpkin meat itself is good compost.

1. Soil Test.
2. Maple leaves and grass clippings.
3. Manure.
4. Till as deep as possible.
5. Soil test results.
6. Add whatever you need as reccommended by lab.
7. Cover crop.

10/16/2008 8:58:14 PM

milford, CT,

1000 sq ft plot
1) Soil Test
2) 120 lbs Calcium (depends on Ph of soil)
3) 50 lbs of Kelp Meal
4) 40 lbs 12-12-12
5) Winter Rye (1 1/2 lbs)
6) 25 lbs Humic Acid Granular
7) 25 lbs 0-0-50 (K was 200 ppm)
8) Epsom Salts if MG is low

Mark

10/17/2008 3:30:28 PM