Fall Gardening and Tips for 2010 Success

September 30th, 2009 | Author: Shannon

I had a ton of fun gardening this year. My early spring garden was beautiful.

With each new planting we had strong healthy plants; we survived the attack of the tomato horn worms.

Most important though: it was fun and I enjoyed sharing one of my big loves with my family.

The children helped me a lot, they laid down all the straw between the rows (mulch). And gathered the vegetables joyfully.

It’s so fun to watch children eat tomatoes or green beans or lettuce right out of the garden.

I start to miss gardening even before the garden is really closed down for the year. Fall brings a healthy time to put the gardening season to bed, so the next year is a big success. Fall is a great time to do a few things to the garden that will keep your soil healthy and your garden hoppin’ in the future.

Get manure (horse, cow, sheep- whatever is available). Cover the soil with a nice layer of this nutritious goodness- let it sit.
Gather mulch- leaves are great, straw works, cover your manure layer with mulch.
Folks near the ocean- collect seaweed and use it as a mulch. The benefits of seaweed are off the charts. If you can’t do anything else- get some seaweed.
A green manure works too- winter wheat, oats, rye- check with the local feed store about what grows well in your region.

I think of it as tucking a child in on a cool night- children need blankets for protection. The soil will get cold and freeze, but it’s nice for it to have a protective blanket during the cold winter months.

I love to plant and this is a way to “plant seeds” for the future. So gardeners, let’s get preparing for 2010 success! Bring the children outside with you! My son LOVES to collect seaweed for the garden.

What do your children love to do in the garden? What do you do to “close” the gardening season and prepare for the next? Please share tips and ideas.

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