Gardens need attention in the winter

Frosty mornings have sealed the deal. It is officially time to put vegetable gardens to bed. But hang tight, now is the time when you should be preparing your garden for next year’s production.

There are many things you should do right now to increase chances of success next spring. One important component it making sure your soil is ready. By testing nutrient levels in fall, you will have plenty of time to make adjustments to the soil before spring arrives, assuring you will be ready to plant when the time is ripe. To get a good representation of soil composition, it is important to take samples from multiple areas of the garden. Montana State Extension Service in Thompson Falls provides soil testing and can be contacted for instructions on sampling procedures by calling (406) 827-6934.

Fall is the time to clean-up garden areas. Leaving dead and decaying plant matter only invites insects, pests and other diseases to move in. If possible, move debris to compost bins for future use. Covering your compost piles with straw or hay will help it shed snow and reduce moisture content come spring.

Don’t forget to set aside all those beautiful leaves that are falling. Leaves make great mulch and can be used as a mold on the bottom of seedling trays that will soon be used for starts. If nothing else, add them to your compost pile for added nutrients.

If your garden needs fertility improvements and you are not worried about harboring insects and pests, plant cover crops such as winter rye mixes. Planting a cover crop will help to keep nutrients from leaching out of the soil, decrease erosion, and improve overall soil composition health. Another bonus is that it will reduce the amount of grass and weeds that are trying to take over your garden, cutting the amount of time you spend weeding.

Believe it or not, some vegetables should be planted now. Garlic should go in the ground during fall to allow plenty of time to yield large, mature, flavorful cloves next summer. The same goes for spinach, cress, parsley, lettuce, kale and chard. If you plant now, versus in the spring, there is no doubt you will be enjoying better tasting greens at a much earlier time. Now is also an excellent time to plant any rooted trees, shrubs, or root vegetables in order to get a quick start on next season.

If you have a favorite non-hybrid variety that performed well for you, collect those seeds. Now is the time to dry seeds out and put them away to regrow in the spring. Hybrid and most non-heirloom varieties do not produce suitable seeds for germination. So be sure your time is well spent by collecting seeds that will germinate.

And now you are ready to sit down, compose a plan for next year’s blueprints, and think about all the tools you made need to repair or replace while enjoying your recent harvest. After all, it is only a few short months away before seeds will be planted for next year’s yield.