Gardens prepped for winter.

[BrianR]

Yesterday I got the larger garden (1/5 acre) chisel plowed and disced down. This one had mostly sweetcorn stalks, pumpkin vines and tomato vines in it.

Today the smaller garden (60ft x 45ft) is chisel plowed, disced and planted in Hard Red winter wheat for baking next year.

 

[bp fick]

It's what we do this time of year. Once everything "quits" it is time to put it to bed for the winter. I fall plow and allow the wind to fill the furrows with leaves. I sheet compost litter from the hen house from now 'til next planting season.

 

[jonyyuma]

I went out and pulled up the tomatoe cages, I still have some small tomatoes making.Also found the canalope still blooming and trying to make fruit. I am nervious about working the ground until i prove it. I don't want my new pto tiller to find any of this junk. I have read here about removing various items from around the shaft? Believe i will hook up the blade first and drag all the weeds and grasses down ?Then middlebust it for the leaves and forget about using the tiller for a spell?

 

[lakngulf]

I plan to "clean out" my garden this weekend. Okra stalks, weeds, leftover squash plants, weeds, running beans vines, weeds, etc. Still have some tomatoes on some late plants, and peppers are always good this time of the year. Will be good to clean up what I can.

Also, had a big problem last year on tomatoes with what I think is Southern Bacterial Wilt. I have some large boxes that will be totally cleaned of existing soil and replaced.

 

[BrianR]

Also, had a big problem last year on tomatoes with what I think is Southern Bacterial Wilt. I have some large boxes that will be totally cleaned of existing soil and replaced.

I know others around here that had that problem with their tomatoes as well. I wonder if the heavy rains this spring and the drastic temperature change may have had something to do with it.

I didn't "plant" any tomatoes this year, but I had plenty of volunteer tomatoes from what I had left in the garden from last year. Ended up with 5 nice sized plants full of tomatoes.

 

[BrianR]

It's what we do this time of year. Once everything "quits" it is time to put it to bed for the winter. I fall plow and allow the wind to fill the furrows with leaves. I sheet compost litter from the hen house from now 'til next planting season.

I bought a Toro self propelled bagger/mulcher mower this year just so I can windrow the leaves with the Kubota BX2200 and then suck them up with the bagger for dumping on the garden.

Once on the garden, I have to chisel plow them in soon or the winds here, will blow them all into the field.

 

[bigdad]

I till(ed) in last year's leaves into my garden. Opening up my compost cage for this years leaves etc. Through the season I add some good hot grass clippings and horse manure and it's just right when I clear off the garden. Done it for years...... no smokey leaf piles in my yard.

 

[jmurray01]

Well I have to say preparing my garden for winter was hard work...

I had to sit down with a cup of coffee and think about how I didn't have to prepare it at all! :laughing:

Well that isn't strictly true, I did have to do something, but it involved less work rather than more.

I just let the grass grow a bit longer than usual so it is stronger for the winter.

I do have to varnish the shed and garage though if I want them to still be standing by the time the snow melts!

 

[BrianR]

My wheat is now as tall as the grass in the yard. Time to work on my to till conversion for the Flex 71 planter tonight.

Plan is to spray wheat in the spring, kill it off, and then no-till plant the garden from now on.

 

[donb2]

Back when I had more ambition I would plant annual rye mixed with hairy vetch in the fall. The rye would die back in the spring, but the hairy vetch would take off with lush growth when it started to warm up. I'd cut the hairy vetch to the ground with a scythe and then plant my tomatoes through the mass of vegitation. It would be great mulch plus and add nutrients to the soil as it decomposed. Had great tomatoes.



Wow - I never thought I'd use the words hairy vetch and scythe in the same sentence!!