I really enjoy the type of work associated with putting the garden to bed for the winter. The work is a bit heavy, but it is the hobby, y'know? I think that it is likeable because I can see "results" almost immediately. Sort of like mowing a lawn. Well we have begun removing the finished veggies now, weeding the soil and then covering the beds with garden refuse to keep the beds mulched throughout the winter months. It protects the upper layer from the destructive effects of the sun's radiation, the washing-out of nutrients effect of heavy rains...and along with that, the topsoil is prevented from forming a "crust". A further benefit is that it is a safe-haven for worms and beetles underneith. We began with removing the last of the bean wigwams, de-weeding the soil in-between the beanpoles and then before mulching it, we tore-down the old wood and pvc tubing storage station. You can see a remaining tin piece covering some wooden poles in the back there. Bean plants scraped up to one end of the patch along with a plastic sack of manure. Once the patch was ready, then we covered it with the leaves of our tall bamboo-like grass plant. The plank that you see there is normally to stand on the soil with while harvesting or planting; but now it holds the plant debris in place until it settles....the wind, you know. It fits well beside the beans that had just been removed. Other patches that we were able to treat and cover: A "long look" at the four quartiers that we have done so far: There is still green manure growing there in the back just before the sprouts. Then the other two beds: In this pic you can see the parsnips and more green manure (Phacelia). The grass paths are looking a bit wild, but after the summer, they were not faring well at all, so I verticulated (scarifyed) and aerated them and then sprinkled a bit of blood meal down as well as giving them a good watering. They responded well to this Rx. Remember I said that we had broken off that old wood station? Well we reorganized the whole mess and here is what we did with the pvc tubes and Tonkin sticks: Now then, we needed to harvest the last of the apples to make apple-sauce with, The end of the day was approaching and we were talking about our Netty up the way. She has been ill and her garden has gotten away from her. Now Netty is a precise person and usually keeps her plot completely weedless. Her whole garden had become a green mat of weeds and grass. What to do. We spoke with the other neighbour lady, Hettie and decided to quickly give Nettie's garden a schoffelling. Well, we were not able to get it completely done, but we made a good start. The following day we finished it off. We did not say anything to Netty, we decided to just let her discover it the next time she came. Several of us had offered to help her earlier, but pride got the better of her and she refused every offer. Another lady carted off the raked-up piles of weeds to the general compost area. The next day Netty came, we four ordered pizza's at the end of the day and she admitted that she didn't see a way out of all that cleaning by herself and was considering giving-up her garden...but now instead of giving-up her garden, she could handle it again. That sure made us feel good. She felt a mixture of happiness and embarrassment -- that was normal, but we explained that that is what neighbours do. We had a sack of peels and apple cores as well as Swiss chard the following day, to drop off by the deer at the deer park adjacent to our apartment, They were happy campers! Well, that about gets me up-to-date now. Obviously there is still loads to do, but for now we are taking a day off.
Lovely shots sjoerd and just look at those deers enjoying themselves and if i'm correct is that a display of pampas grasses on your 5th picture added as I love them...you've done really well and a good round of from yourselves and your neighbours doing Netties allotment...you gave the woman a great deal of hope to restart again
that looks great Sjoerd. I wish mine could look like that... but Fall has once again been interrupted by life changing events here so the garden hasn't seen me in two weeks now. sigh. and it isn't really getting a lot better. I have a funeral to prepare for and my dad had a heart attack... I am not spending much time here.
May The Lord bless and keep you, Carolyn.. My prayers for your Dad and sincere wishes for his recovery.. Hank
Yes it is so nice to be able to conclude another season , take a well deserved rest, enjoy the coming holidays and merry making . Here all I can do is after a harvest is to decide what to plant next, the beds cannot sleep!!!
Hey GAIL--thanks so much for your nice comments. That is not a pampas grass plant. I have had pampas grass in the past but when I removed it, I did not re-plant another plant. Yeah, Nettie really appreciated the helping hand. Chuckle....MART--I'll bet it does. KK--Well mate, no rest for the weary just yet. I still have a bit more to do, and then, there's the flower garden. Oh dear me. BTW--what will be your next crops?
Carolyn my best of wishes are with you at a time like this Sjoerd I thought they was pampas sorry but you've done so well besides doing Netties and giving her full hope again
I have some gourds, cucumber and some Asian greens coming to an end, some luffas and beans that had just started to flower and some more Asian greens in the nursery. After that it is going to be more cucumbers, bitter gourds, more Asian greens and is thinking of trying my luck with zucchini and beet root Chilis, egg plant, okra, sage, coriander, thyme, rosemary, dill and pineapples are always there. Oh ya I've 4 kohlrabi going at the moment, maybe can be harvested in 4 weeks. It sounds like a lot of plants going but I only plant 2 of each except for the Asian greens
Carolyn so sorry for your loss and hope your Father gets better soon.Troubles seem to come in spurts so hope yours ends soon.
