Fall is one of the most important times of the year to care for your garden, according to Susan Fisher, a program assistant with University of Georgia’s cooperative extension service and garden manager of the Gardens at Brookdale. Photo provided.
Ahhh, fall. Crisp days, cooler temperatures, pumpkins everywhere and state fairs.
This season means there’s no more experimenting with zucchinis and a sadness that comes with the final tomato sandwich — slathered in mayo (yes, mayo — I said it, and I’m not backing down).
Believe it or not, this is one of the most important times of the year for your garden. Sure, you’re tired — but your garden is tired too! It’s been working overtime, baking in the sun, dodging bugs and fending off diseases to provide you with fresh fruits and vegetables.
Now it’s your turn to give it a little TLC — a pick-me-up to help it thrive through the winter. Here are five tips:
— Remove spent plants. Destroy diseased plant material so it doesn’t reintroduce disease to your garden next year. Remove weeds and debris so pests and fungal disease don’t have a place to winter. This will go in the burn pile or trash. Don’t add diseased plant matter in your compost bin.
— Give your soil a check-up! During the growing season did you think your plants struggled or didn’t perform as well as you thought it should? A soil test will tell you if you have the right nutrients and pH levels to help your soil and plants thrive. Fall is the best time to do the test, allowing ample time for any supplements to react with the soil before spring planting. The county extension office can help with testing. Once you get the results, you’ll know exactly what your garden needs to grow its happiest and healthiest.
— Dig or till your garden to a depth of 6-9 inches breaking up large clumps. This lets the soil breathe and fluffs up compacted soil, which makes it harder for the roots to do their job. Add 2-3 inches of organic matter or compost and rake it in the top 3-4 inches.
— Plant a cover crop! Cover crops help hold the soil and prevent erosion while adding organic matter when they are tilled under in the spring. Cover crops can include a combination of a cereal grain — wheat, rye, or oats — with a legume plant, such as clover or winter peas.
— Even if you decide not to grow a cover crop, you will need to cover your beds or garden area with mulch. Mulching will help keep your soil soft and moist throughout the winter and suppress weeds. Exposed soil is a landing pad for every single weed seed within 5 square miles. Cover with 3-5 inches of wood chips, grass clippings, straw or raked leaves. What a great way to involve the whole family! What kid doesn’t love jumping into a pile of fallen leaves? Great exercise. Great price. Great for your garden.
Susan Fisher is a Program Assistant with the Bibb County office of the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service and serves as Garden Manager of the Gardens at Brookdale. Readers with gardening or landscaping questions can call 478-310-5350 or email bibb.extension@uga.edu.
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