Getting the garden ready for winter...

[preppingsu]

...and preparing for the next growing season 2012.

I thought is would be a good idea to share tips to help each other prepare the gardens as this is a big area we need to work on as preppers.

-To replace nutrients into the soil plant green manure.
- to keep weeds down put cardboard or old carpet over the soil. It also warms it up ready for planting in the spring.
- if adding horse muck, add it now so it had plenty of time to break down. If used too close to planting it can affect some plants.
- when planning for next year, don't forget to rotate your crops ie grow your potatoes in a different area than this year. This is to prevent disease etc.
- don't forget to turn your compost heap/pile/bin.

[diamond lil]

I want to dig out the top layer of mud (well given our weather lately it will probly just pour out ) from the chickens run and dump it on the veg plot. Am I better to do it now and let it settle over winter?

[preppingsu]

I want to dig out the top layer of mud (well given our weather lately it will probly just pour out ) from the chickens run and dump it on the veg plot. Am I better to do it now and let it settle over winter?

As long as you are adding it to soil where you are not growing anything then over the winter it will break down. You mustn't put it onto soil where you have things growing as it 'burns' the plants and could carry disease. I currently add all my chook waste (hay and sawdust) to the compost bins and its breaking down nicely (we have 5 bins on the go!)

[diamond lil]

Nothing growing here now. Not even weeds Got 3 compost bins and god knows what we'll do with them cos nobody got the strength to move them. Think they filled with quick setting cement

[preppingsu]

Nothing growing here now. Not even weeds Got 3 compost bins and god knows what we'll do with them cos nobody got the strength to move them. Think they filled with quick setting cement

Lift up the plastic bins, then just shovel the cotents onto the soil. You may need to seek the help of a young muscley man to help you out - look for one in a checked lumberjack shirt!

[hobo]

You may need to seek the help of a young muscley man to help you out - look for one in a checked lumberjack shirt!

Hello? Did someone just call?

[Technik]

I'm just starting with my garden so am all ears

[Brambles]

Oh don't talk to me about putting gardens to bed! mine was SUPPOSED to be done by now. However, due to the interference of a Cat a flight of stairs and floppy slippers(I'll leave the rest to your imagination) I have a bad back and nothing has been done!

[preppingsu]

Oh don't talk to me about putting gardens to bed! mine was SUPPOSED to be done by now. However, due to the interference of a Cat a flight of stairs and floppy slippers(I'll leave the rest to your imagination) I have a bad back and nothing has been done!

bit of a pain in the arse I should think

[Brambles]

Oh don't talk to me about putting gardens to bed! mine was SUPPOSED to be done by now. However, due to the interference of a Cat a flight of stairs and floppy slippers(I'll leave the rest to your imagination) I have a bad back and nothing has been done!

bit of a pain in the arse I should think

In more ways than one Su! I need one of them there manly men types