Next Year's Garden-ALREADY

[retiredwith4acres]

Am I the only one that is thinking about next year? I didn't feel real good this summer so my mother did most of our gardening and I have missed it so much. I am feeling lots better and wanting to garden now that it is almost over. Of course, the cooler temps make me feel better also. I find myself looking on line for seeds but keep telling myself NO, not yet. I don't want to order seeds that I won't use!

 

[lesa]

What about scratching the gardening itch with some cool weather greens- lettuce or spinach?

 

[vfem]

I'm shopping for next year as well, but we're also putting in some late fall stuff and crossing our figures for a little bit of a harvest. Like you I missed most of the summer from being sick, between mother nature and I it was a terrible season!

P.s. -

 

[retiredwith4acres]

Yes, my mother has sown turnips, kale, onions and we still have sweet potatoes to dig for this year. Also, we get some okra and butter beans still but almost gone. I removed some of the posts used for sticking tomatoes this morning and will work on the old bean sticks tomorrow. We will dig those potatoes next week. Thinking about working up the soil but can't decide about which cover crop to sow once all the old debris is removed. Trying to decide what would double as the best bee food and cover. Need to get that lettuce sowed also. I have an old metal boat filled with soil for lettuce. Just need to pick up that seed!

 

[DawnSuiter]

Not at all! I usually start planting next years garden in my head shortly after planting the current year! I always think, next year I'll do a neater job... already planning & moving things around to be ready for February & March planting!!!

 

[Kassaundra]

I have been reading the seed catalouges planning for what I'm going to plant next year. But I also planted out a fall garden too.

 

[digitS']

. . . retired?

. . . 4 acres?

. . . mother who still gardens?

All sorts of reasons to plan and be optimistic about next year's garden!

Steve

 

[Wisher1000]

Morning all! I am working on beds for next year, myself! (I am new here, just jumped over from BYC, old there ) I have an interesting problem and was looking for some help. We built the house we live in and the soil is sand. Not sandy, SAND! You can dig yourself out of sight with a teaspoon. I have been building beds around the house using sheet composting and trying my best to grow stuff but the going is slow. I have horses and chickens and plenty of organic material to use but the problem is the beds are too fertile! I am growing lots of plants and few flowers and veggies! Of course, the other problem is that when I plant the new beds, the chickens can't wait to get in there and scratch it all up. Any suggestions as to how to turn it down, some? I know after a few years, the soil will be somewhat depleted, but what do I do in the meantime?

 

[lesa]

I think you are doing the right thing- probably a bit much on the manure, but as you say, time will repair that. I would keep on mixing organic compost materials, as much as you can. Grass clippings, leaves, etc. Do you have a compost pile for kitchen scraps? The first thing I always plant is a fence! Chickens can wreck anything! Happy Gardening!

 

[Wisher1000]

Thanks, Lesa, I was beginning to think I was being ignored! I am spoiled by the size and speed of the BYC forums! Looking forward to adjusting to a more relaxed pace here! Almost all of my kitchen scraps go to the chickens and dog. I use the manure in the beds as I clean out the barn and coop. It is the same with the other ingredients, grass clipping after the lawn is cut, leaves in the fall when I have to rake, etc. I was just looking at the requirements for lettuce and think I may put some in and see if that works!