Next year’s garden

My wife’s health issues ate up a good deal of my time this year. I planted only a small portion of our garden.  So, a good portion of the garden ended up going to weeds.  Things have been getting better, so I have begun weed pulling and  soil prep for next year.  

I should mention that the garden is about 20 4’x8’ raised beds 2 ft high.

Any tips on what to do or not to do in getting ready for next year?

I understand how that goes, but in my case it's been my own health issues instead of a spouse's. Has she improved, or does it look like much of your time next year will be spent in a similar way? Just wondering if you're needing to downsize, find ways to be more efficient, or just simply overcome weeds so that you're ready for the next season.

At one point, I pulled lots of weeds because that's what I thought I *should* do. But most of those weeds were annuals that had already gone to seed. If you can get them before they seed, great. Otherwise, they could be a fine mulch after they die without so much effort for removal.

John, I hope your wife will be doing better soon.  For your raised beds, I would once cleared, I would go ahead and sow them with a green cover, like rye.

And hope that next year will be better, both for the gardens and your wife.

Another survivor of the big C here.


Peace

Hi John,
I think the worst option would be to leave them bare. I'm not sure how cold it gets where you are. In warmer climates, I agree to plant a cover crop of some sort. If it gets pretty cold in the winter, then woodchip mulch or even tarps in a pinch would be good.

That would be my minimum to lower the weed pressure and make sure they are ready for next year. If you have time/money, then I would definitely add some supplements. Perhaps some organic manure, mixed into the top few inches. Perhaps some good compost laid on top. Perhaps some fall leaves or straw covered by mulch. I like to add seaweed for the micronutrients, but that might be harder to do where you are :)

Good luck and try not to over do it.

Latitude wise, I am south of Frankfort KY.  

Currently, my wife is improving rapidly.  But, of course, that guarantees nothing.  Maybe more importantly, my plans are to put in a full garden.

The news of your wife's improvement is MOST EXCELLENT!!

I was sent home 20 months ago having been told that there was nothing else to try and to prepare.  I know you can't see me, but picture the one finger salute I'm offering up to my former tumor!!!  Still here, go figure!

Stay strong.

Peace

Something I've been trying with my raised beds is welcoming "easy" weeds and removing the ones I find more offensive. It's been less work for me, and the free mulch is keeping the dirt from drying out. I started it a couple years ago when my mom's health needs jumped. The weeds I like are now showing up a lot more than the ones I don't.

I've been letting the easy low lying stuff grow (white clover, spurge, mock strawberry, carpetweed) and welcoming some of the tastier ones (the little lemony yellow flower oxalis, one of the wild violets.) The grasses and taller weeds get yanked. I do need to keep a hand on the mock strawberry and the violets, they can both start to choke out other plants.

I'm fortunate here, zone 8b, I'm planting spinich, lettuce and red Russian kale (if I can find it), the first two are planted anyways, to harvest in Oct./Nov. and I planted daikons last month in the hopes of harvesting them in Nov. or Dec.

Hi Riona,

Thanks.  I haven’t given much thought to planning  a fall crop.