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Kokomo, Indiana

When yall till up your gardens for the end of the season, is there anything you put on in when tilling it up? Like cow shit or lime or maybe pumpkin guts, maybe something else?? Just curious. I believe i'm gonna till mine up tomorrow or maybe saturday. Also if anyone has the time to explain to me what this compost tea is all about and how to start one up next season... And if yall have extra (free) seeds whenever you guys get time, shoot me an email ([email protected]) Thanks guys for all your help this season!

10/7/2010 7:27:19 PM

3 acre corner in Whittaker,Mi USA ([email protected])

Hey ryan,
Started to till mine up already also and I've added about 5 yards of llamma manure and I've been adding in a lot of shredded up maple leaves as they have been falling also. Some folks here said that planting a cover crop of winter rye over the patch also helps with getting the biology of the soil up and running so I'm gonna try that out also. Then come next year its good to send out a soil sample to a lab and they can tell you what your defficencies are and you can ammend accordingly before planting...probably not everything you can do but this is what my plan is anyways!! Hope this helps a little!! Erik

10/7/2010 11:20:32 PM

British Columbia

Ryan, I would not put pumpkin material in myself. All the cucurbits are prone to fungal/mold problems. Without knowing what ones are in your area, and whether or not those diseases can overwinter or live in the soil you are taking a chance of creating early and possibly devastating effects on that monster you are planning on growing next year.
I think a green manure crop is always a good idea if you can get it in early enough for a little growth before hard frosts. There is probably an agricultural extension branch in your area that can recommend a cover crop that will do best in your area. Where I am we have mild winters and I can get away with lots of different crops, rye, clover, mustard, vetch, fava etc. Plus the deer just love it!
I can actual grow and harvest a crop of fava beans for market and have them harvested before time to put other crops in the ground. I love those maple leaves too. A heavy mulch of canary grass or some non seedy or old rotten hay is a great way to create some bio action from worms and such. Throw some coffee ground under the mulch first, try your local starbucks or other coffee shop for free grounds, even the paper filters are good as the worms prefer those as a breeding place. On raw or new ground I have even put down newspaper under hay and leaves for a winter if I haven't had time to get in a green manure crop. Any organic matter that isn't toxic is a good idea.
Some times liming in the fall is also a good idea as it takes a period of time to change or effect pH in the soil. There again, get advice from a local gardener, old retired guys are a good bet.

10/8/2010 12:10:50 AM

Ohio

Ryan, Im giving this a try this year.

pap Rhode Island 9/20/2010 11:50:05 AM

we cover croped all areas where plants had been remover plus an area we have rested for five years with mustard grass. we did this three weeks ago so that the mustard grass can grow the full cycle and then be mowed and tilled in around november 1st.
next spring around the first of march (weather permitting ) we will plant field peas ,then roto till in just before plants go out.
mustard grass is a natural soil cleanser and the field peas will just help add organic matter back into the soil without the use of manures ( which can bring in diseases as well )

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=3&p=363156

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=6&p=360453

10/8/2010 8:52:29 AM

Clayton, Ohio, USA

Ryan, IMHO it's important to subsoil as deep as you can in the fall going east/west then north/south - especially with the heavier soil we have around here. Most farmers have one or you can purchase a small one @ Tractor Supply.

10/8/2010 9:07:24 AM

Bristol R.I. USA

I get my soil tested then add all amendments to the soil. I also add some raw washed seaweed that i get from the ocean. After the ammendments are made i add as much coffee grounds throughout the year on the patch. I also have an active compost pile that i try to keep cooking the entire year. Its helpful when burying vines.

10/8/2010 9:50:17 AM

Kokomo, Indiana

Sounds good. Now would putting 1/2 a bag of sand down help any??

10/9/2010 1:09:20 PM