The roasting ears were finially finished--eaten fresh there in the lottie and frozen-in at home. We kept trying to pull the stalks out but the rain kept interviening. Well yesterday we were able to complete clearing them yesterday. First we removed the stalks and thoroughly weeded the plot, min-tilling the soil to loosen it. After that we spread aged cow manure over the surface of the soil and raked it flat. Next we simply laid most of the stalks over the soil to protect it during the winter. (I say 'protect it', because the ultra-violket rays of the sun destroys the microbes necessary for healthy soil) In this last foto, you can see that the Swiss chard and beet(root)s are still going strong. The beans in the distance will come out next week perhaps and then we will handle the ground as we did the corn plot. The entire two plots is where the potatoes will go next year. Gardening is an on-going hobby, isn't it?
It's always sad to see a growing season come to an end, but man what a growing season you had!! I imagine your pantry and freezer are packed to overflowing and you had all that extra produce for the food bank. A very successful summer for you.
You're doing a greand job of clearing up and preparing for winter Sjoerd. Nice to know you still have beets and chard left to crop.
Need to remember to bring home some cow manure compost. Even your cleaned-up lotties look good, Sjoerd. I'm already looking forward to hearing which potatoes you're going to grow next spring.
What a BEAUTIFUL garden, Sjoerd, and am glad you had such a productive one! Can see many hours of work there, you should be very PROUD! Gardening isn't a hobby. Gardening is an OBSESSION!
Lots and lots of hard work there Sjord.You sure were rewarded for it and your cleanup looks great too.
Great job!! The potatoes next season will be so happy with that soil,,,no doubt there. Glad you had a successful and over productive season! Now eat your veggies!!! lol.
Sjoerd, i did not know that about the sun's ultraviolet rays damaging the micros in the soil?! it does make a lots of sense. hubby always wants to clean the garden in the fall, but i usually do it in the spring. i figured the plants left in the ground keep the soil in tact from rains and snows and meltoffs. also, some of the small stuff will compost right into the soil. now, i'm thinking, maybe it'll protect it from the sun! we're actually finally getting some light summer weather here. it's been such a cold off season for us. toms, peppers, beans, etc... are all taking off now and our harvests are finally plumping up. we're way behind schedule, but going strong! Sjoerd, your garden is beautiful! are those beans on teepees in the back?
So sad when things start getting pulled up. I have started clearing my tender plants now. However, taking your advice, I have some mustard seed to sow anywhere that is going to be vacant over the winter months. My shallots arrived today, 'Jermer'. My Japanese overwintering onions arrived and went in last week. Now I am waiting for my garlic to arrive, that will fill that bed up again. It is an ongoing circle of life!
Your clean up looks good. I never like it when a season comes to an end. Their talking of frost coming in tomorrow nite. I haven't even been able to pick but a few toms and then those were hard. going to cover the toms as good as we can to save what we can. Well, glad some of you others had a good season any way.
TONI-- Yes it is a bit sad when a rotation comes to an end, but as I said, gardening for m,e is an ongoing thing and in the next stage it's cleaning and protection for the winter. In some cases, I will be planting crops for winter harvest and of course next month it'll be time to plant the broadbeans which will grow to about 12" then sort of go dormant for the winter. The pantry, freezer and every other bit of free space in the house has been filled--such as cupboards, drawers, closets, etc. All are full with fruit, veg or concentrate. We are maxed-out. it hhas indeed been successful this year. EILEEN-- Thanks. Yes we still have things left to harvest such as Swiss Chard, Beets and Perpetual spinach which we plan to leave in place and harvest during the winter. There are also parsnips and purple sprouting spinach in place. I also planted some crocuses for the harvesting of saffron yesterday. DROOPY--The short list of potato candidates for next year include Harlequin, Charlotte, Ratte d'Ardeche, Jersey Royals and Yukon Gold. As it gets closer to feb we will have to make a firm choice for a march delivery. WEEDS 'n SEEDS-- You are of course right: Gardening IS most definately an obcession. A wonderful obcession. BUNKIE--Well, you are right about plants left in the ground protecting the soil. In fact, I plant "green manure" to cover bare ground and turn that under at tilling time. I don't think that it matters what you use to cover the soil, as long as you keep it covered. Of course in the winter the sun isn't the only threat to your precious topsoil--also wind, rain and freezing all detract from your soil integrity...plus covered ground has more earthworms in it, and you know that they are helpful. I hope that you manage to get a good harvest before things get too cold there. Tes those are bean teepees there in the back. Those closest are runnerbeans and those behind the runners are a climbing french bean, called 'Rakker'. EJ-- Mustard seed is a good ground cover, isn't it? It sounds like you are moving into your next fase too. It just roll right along.... PRPPERSAGE-- That isn't lettuce, it's Swiss chard. Iit will not die, I plan on harvesting it through the winter. PETUNIA & SoJ--I hope that you can protect those toms--it'd be a shame to loose the rest of your crop. Thanks you two.
