The seasons are changing; the summer vegetable garden has come to an end. This Tip from the Yard will cover the items needed to successfully put the veggie garden to bed. Side note, it’s fine to leave the late season/winter low hoops and cold frames just where they are. Enjoy those veggies as long as possible.
1st item: record thoughts and evaluation of the garden. Include a rough drawing of where different plants were planted to ensuring crop rotation is followed with next year’s garden.
2nd item: If not done each time plants have completed the producing process remove all vegetation from the garden. Yes, veggie debris should be removed. Pathogens can easily over winter and affect next year’s crops.
Any diseased vegetation should never be composted. Any weeds gone to seed should never be composted.
3rd item: As garden tools are retired for the winter clean and protect the surfaces. Remove all dirt and wipe dry. Any tools needing sharpening should be done at this time. Apply a coat of a light oil to all metal surfaces to prevent rusting during the winter. Apply a coat of linseed oil to wooden handles. Store the tools in a dry area. Remove any batteries from cordless tools and place in a warm environment for the winter months.
4th item: Vegetation destined for the compost pile will take longer to compost during the winter. It is harder for the pile to heat. The finer the vegetation is the better. Leaves and greens can be chopped with the lawn mower or placed in a garbage can and cut with a string trimmer. Be sure to lasagna layer, a dark tarp may help the compost heat. Remember it is best to continue to turn the compost a couple of times during the winter.
5th item: Plant a cover crop in the vegetable garden. These crops work best when planted in late September, but even into October will work. Thank you, climate change. The most readily available crops are winter wheat, winter rye, and oats. Do not let any of these go to seed. Work the ground lightly and apply an even application of seed. 2 to 4 oz per 100sq ft. Top dress with a light coating of top soil or straw mulch. Water well. Watch the amount of rain and if the area appears dry sprinkle liberally. Yes, this cover crop can be sprinkled. Best not to walk on the tender shoots. Oats seed needs to be planted in August and early September. It will die in cold weather. Oats will be easier to turn under in early spring as it is already dead. Let the other crops grow all winter. In most cases they will remain green. In the early spring cut the crop short and leave it for at least 10 days. Dig about 6 inches into the soil when the soil has dried out. Cover crops will add nitrogen into the soil, aid in improving compaction, and suppress cold weather weed growth.
6th item: Now is the time to relax. As the seed catalogs begin arriving or the seed companies over load your in-box. Begin planning for next spring. It’s 100+ days away.
Many of us have wildlife issues in our yards. Let’s review in the next tip how just maybe we can improve that situation.
-M. Massey, Lorain County MGV
Resources:
Cover Crops, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Cover Crops in the Home Garden, University of Illinois