I'd like to cover all my beds for the winter - to protect the soil microbes.
So I went to my plot today to spread the last of my hay. Two garlic plots are already mulched. And another bed is already covered with popcorn stalks.
Uncovered beds I noticed were the new asparagus bed, planted this spring. And my perennial bed with rhubarb, rose, thyme and oregano. I spread the last of the hay on these.
If I get a chance to buy more hay, I will. It would be good to cover a couple more beds.
I'm covering next year's heavy feeder beds with a layer of fresh horse manure, compost and winter rye. Three are done and one is still waiting for this. The perennials and the light feeder beds aren't getting these amendments. They're the ones to mulch with hay.
5 comments:
It's official. You've been awarded the honor of "BEST BLOG" designation. See http://PsychicSunTiger.blogspot.com for details. :-D
On the topic of your posting today: I thank you. I've been composting out of barrels and also have a large wooden compost pile . . . it all gets a little out of hand (e.g., the barrels hold water and that causes a horrific rotting smell.) I will definitely be building a system like you have posted here very soon. :-D
When you say "heavy feeder" beds, what does that mean?
Thanks for the Award suntiger. Thats awesome!
Kalena, Heavy feeder crops need a rich soil with lots of compost, nutrients, and especially nitrogen added to the soil. Corn and squashes probably need the most. Also tomatoes. Legumes like beans and peas don't need any nitrogen or compost in the soil and will actually add it to the soil. Root crops are light feeders and need small amounts. They are good to plant the year after a heavy feeder without adding compost in between.
This is the good blog with good images and good details. Please keep on posting the more stuff. I will like to hear more from you.
Hi Kathy--
I was wondering, where do you get your hay for mulching in the Boston area? I have a strawberry bed that needs to be mulched, but I wasn't sure where to find hay.
Thanks!
-Anne
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