|
|
Post by gianna on Nov 7, 2023 20:29:11 GMT -5
To get ready for next year, I want to do some things this year. It's so nice to have beds ready when it's time to plant things out.
Since I'm no-till, I like to keep living plants in the soil as long as possible. And since we get no frost, some things just keep living. But this year, when it's time for them to go, the plan is to cut them off at the base to leave the old roots in the soil for organic matter, chop the soft parts, and to cover it all with compost and/or mulch. Then covering with 'silage tarps' or the equal. This of course will be determined on a bed to bed basis, since each of the beds is different.
The bed I worked in today still has Rudbeckia and cabbages actively growing in it. I weeded and removed some things, and will soon cover the open spaces with compost/mulch around those living. And that will be ready come spring. No tarping this bed.
The beds with still growing peppers and zinnias (still blooming), eventually will be chopped and dropped onto the bed surface, covered with compost/mulch, and depending on moisture, covered with tarping to help decompose stuff.
As many paths as possible will be covered with landscape fabric. There are already several done, and while soil or chips is more pleasing, keeping weeds from growing is primary these days. With lots of rain last winter, I spent far too much time weeding this past year. And an incoming El Nino usually brings good rains.
What plans do you have - or have already put in place - for next year.
|
|
|
|
Post by desertwoman on Nov 7, 2023 23:38:17 GMT -5
All but one last veggie bed have been put to sleep for the winter. No till, so I cut down what has died off, layer compost, coffee grounds and then top with crushed leaves and a light bit of pine straw (to hold the leaves down when (if) the winter winds arrive). Perennial flower beds and rose , lilac and other bushes are all covered with a deep layer of leaves and pine straw. These will get a layer of compost added on top, in the Spring. I've never tarped before, gianna, Wondering if I should be considering. What are the benefits? How long do you leave them down? |
|
|
|
Post by emmsmommy on Nov 8, 2023 5:36:45 GMT -5
I'm so behind right now. Two of fourteen beds are ready for winter and one will remain neglected since it's overrun with strawberries and it's too late to even think about transplanting. We've had some magnificent weather but unfortunately I've had plans on those days or had a sick kid. I'll eventually get it done and hopefully by the end of the year.
|
|
|
|
Post by pondgardener on Nov 8, 2023 9:44:07 GMT -5
I'm 'shovel till' and starting to add some horse manure to a number of beds and digging it under and covering with pine needles. I had already planted some other beds with a cover crop and will turn that over in the Spring. If the weather holds up I will add one of the compost piles to the garden as well.
|
|
|
|
Post by madamezil on Nov 8, 2023 10:02:06 GMT -5
This is the year of the Great Habitat experiment. We have cut down nothing in the front yard and left all plants to go to seed and decompose naturally. The only things planted are two large garlic beds and those have already come up.
The birds are very happy with the extra seeds to forage. We have lots of Juncos, Rufous Towhees, Sparrows and Black Capped Chickadees. There are also some Northern Flickers scrounging for the last few bugs. We have two resident Hummingbirds but they will have to be content with the feeders as there isn't much in the plant department for them.
It has been very warm and wet here, so almost everything is still green. We are leaving all the leaves on the ground and will remove them in the Spring.
The backyard clover is spreading like crazy. In the remaining raised beds the Stellars Jays and the squirrels are planting peanuts
and the few remaining hazelnuts on our tree. We also have our resident Crow couple patrolling THEIR neighbourhood.
I am kind of looking forward to the rest the Fall/Winter will bring. I am really getting into sprouting and doing a lot of experimenting with different types of seeds. Will also start on my indoor herb production soon.
|
|
|
|
Post by gianna on Nov 10, 2023 22:52:32 GMT -5
I've never tarped before, gianna, Wondering if I should be considering. What are the benefits? How long do you leave them down? There are so many variables. However, I have not yet regretted doing it under varying circumstances, and will do more over this winter. The main benefits for me have been weed prevention, or outright killing them, moisture retention, and depending on circumstances, an aid to decomposing organic matter that has been covered. All good, especially in a dry environment. IMO, better than covering with mulch alone. The main drawback is that most covers are plastic based. Large market gardens use silage tarps which can last for years. Home gardeners (from what I've seen) rely on heavy plastic sheeting which can be reused, or woven landscape fabric, or old-fashioned tarps. Some people have reported buying old billboard material, cut to size, and that is said to last for years too. Look for something with UV inhibitors. We are supposed to get about 2 inches of rain next week. After that would be a good time to start covering any bare beds after the very dry soil has been moistened. Another good time to cover is when there are active weeds growing, especially annual weeds. They will die and start to decompose. In the past, I've covered piles of pulled weeds spread over a bed with a tarp, and depending how long you leave it, and if it's moist, it works like a compost heap. No heat. How long you leave it is variable and depends what you want. As long as there is some level of moisture beneath, several months would be good. If you just want to kill annual weeks, probably a couple weeks would do. If you live in a moist environment, earthworms are said to thrive beneath, and when pulled off, the bed is ready to go - soft and pliable. One thing to beware of is animals like the warmth and dark beneath. I once uncovered a rat, and it really startled me (and me him). I've heard reports of snakes uncovered, but have not experienced that. I do however now remove any covering slowly and with great care. Even using a long-handled tool of some sort. You do have to weigh them down. Rocks or bricks or pieces of rebar. Some people use bags of sand. Or even metal earth staples. |
|
|
|
Post by heirloomfan on Nov 13, 2023 11:15:39 GMT -5
As I've cleaned out some areas, I made sure the weeds were out, put down cardboard and then some mulch on top. I have had some real issues with weeds the last couple of years, especially bindweed, thistles and a few others. I saw a smaller scale flower farmer says that cardboard with mulch has worked well for her. I tested some spots just with the cardboard and it did suppress the weeds and also found a light clear plastic tarp was good for killing weeds early in the season so I will try that again in the spring before planting. I leave it on long enough to see the weeds are "cooked" and then pull it so it doesn't harm any beneficals in the soil if left on too long.
We've had some unseasonably warm weather, have had a hard frost and some lighter frosts, yet the temperatures keep getting close to 70. They did say finally some cooler and possibly rainy weather for the weekend.
|
|
|
|
Post by emmsmommy on Nov 16, 2023 8:16:35 GMT -5
I've had good luck with cardboard but you do have to keep an eye out for persistent weeds. Dandelion, violets, yellow dock and burdock with grow up through cardboard and mulch if given a chance. Creeping Charlie will take every opportunity to sneak in along the edges too. But considering I started with a poor section of yard for both of my gardens, the cardboard has definitely been an asset in getting them established.
I'm slowly getting the garden beds prepared for winter and officially have 4 of 14 ready and decided that three will have to wait until spring as there's too many plants in them that need moved, so eight more to go.
|
|
|
|
Post by pondgardener on Nov 16, 2023 9:20:43 GMT -5
I drove a few miles out of town and finally got a truckload of alpaca manure. Supposed to be a good source of nutrients beneficial to peppers and tomatoes. Hopefully the expected wind today isn't too strong and I can get started spreading some of it around the garden.
|
|
|
|
Post by binnylou on Nov 16, 2023 9:32:32 GMT -5
pondgardener, I had a family member tell me that llamas always poop in the same spot, creating a column of manure as time passes. Alpacas are of the same family? Do they pile their poo also? Or, was this family member pulling my leg? BTW, family member is by marriage, not blood related.  Good luck. If this stuff is good for your garden, lucky you to have a source.
|
|
|
|
Post by pondgardener on Nov 16, 2023 15:16:56 GMT -5
binnylou, the link below may answer your question. When I was shoveling out the truck, I noticed clumps, that when broken apart, consisted of hard packed alpaca pellets. So according to the article, they pee and poop in the same spot. Marijuana growers apparently come to this ranch and get 5 gallon buckets to make a manure tea to water their plants and add to their growing medium. Not sure how related alpacas and llamas are...they look similar to me but llamas are definitely larger. My brother's wife has a llama rescue in Albuquerque, so next time he comes to Colorado, I will have to ask him. I should also ask him to bring a load of llama poop as well. The gentleman that I got the manure from also mentioned that alpaca ranchers will keep a few llamas with their alpacas to ward off coyotes. It seems that if threatened by a predator, alpacas will bunch up in a group and get attacked but a llama will take on a coyote. Alpaca piles
|
|
|
|
Post by tbird on Dec 2, 2023 22:06:27 GMT -5
I need to do something! havent decided yet.....eying this christmas tree already!!
|
|
|
|
Post by emmsmommy on Dec 22, 2023 6:06:29 GMT -5
I've done absolutely nothing in the garden for over a month except toss an occasional banana peel over the fence and into a bed. The warm days have been hindered by obligations and not feeling well. Looking forward to the New Year and hopefully a less chaotic schedule in the next few months. On January 1st we officially enter into the unrestricted burning season, which means the last of the brush pile can be burnt and cleared away in preparation for the greenhouse. Meanwhile I'm indulging in reading about gardening and watching gardening videos.
|
|
|
|
Post by lilolpeapicker on Dec 28, 2023 10:51:45 GMT -5
Finished last bed before Thanksgiving and giving a good dose of compost and leaves. Also have to cover them so the dog does not invade the beds looking for rabbit manure. I try to use plastic chicken type fencing over the beds and then Jesse can get the frisbee during our play if it lands on top of the bed.
I have decided to cover my squash, pumpkin and cucumber plants next season with fabric and open them up 1 at a time. My plants are so close to each other that it is difficult to stop cross pollination. I guess as an experiment opening them up every few days when blossoms open and closing them when the next is open. Sometimes I may need to hand pollinate.
|
|
|
|
Post by breezygardener on Dec 28, 2023 13:07:24 GMT -5
I'm criminally behind in weeding my deck tubs, but will try to do a few at a time so I'm ready for early-spring veggies.
|
|
