Putting the garden to bed

[lizziegrace]

I wanted to get it done today, but the well quit and the indoor cats somehow have fleas and I've got other things to worry about. :-/

I'm going to spread the compost pile on the raised beds and cover that with the leaves when they finish falling.

Should I put plastic over the beds to let the leaves and compost 'cook' until winter really sets in or wait to do that in the spring.

What a year. I can't wait to plant again!

[NEOhiodemocrat]

1. I am just putting mine to bed also!

Picked anything big enough to salvage yesterday and spreading compost around today.I must say, it has felt like a long season here in North East Ohio. I think I am ready to do inside things now. However, fighting fleas on the cats does not sound like an activity I want to do! And our well quit back in September, it was the box in the basement, didn't find that out until we pulled out the whole submersible pump. So that was a learning experience I could have done without! Good luck on your well and cats ;)

[lizziegrace]

2. It's been a really long season, hasn't it?

I've been juicing and I end up with about a quart of pulp every day. I'll spread that out on the beds over the winter on top of the leaves and compost.

Without any water, it's hard to wash all the linens in the fight to get rid of the fleas. I may end up at the laundromat tomorrow so it can all be washed and dried at once. Then I'll attack the throw rugs and the hardwood. I LOVE my Dyson. :-)

Enjoy hunkering down for the winter. I really love this time of year.

BTW, have you ever been to Lehman's? I got their catalog and wonder if the store is worth the trip.

:)

[Kolesar]

3. Unfinished" compost won't "process" very much in the next months

I would leave it in the compost heap until spring. Compost seems so precious and hard to come by that I only use it for preparing new beds, side dressing, and making compost tea.

Last winter, I blew a huge number of leaves onto the raised beds and in the aisles. It mulched the aisles and the beds. It worked well for weed suppression.

I planted radishes and greens a month ago. I am going to keep them alive under row covers. I have 3' x 8' cold frame for spinach, carrots, and greens. Last winter, I picked greens in the cold frame until mid January when the glass broke.

[lizziegrace]

4. I'll take your advice

I'm a rookie and since the stuff was pulp from a juicer, I thought it would break down pretty quickly.

I'm glad the season's over, but sad it's over. Lot of work but a lot of fun.

[WhiteTara]

5. I wouldn't cover the garden with plastic

the compost will break down over winter. In early spring, turn it over and under.