What did you do in the garden today?

[ChocolateMouse]

Anybody cover their beds with black plastic or fabric for the winter? I seen this in a nearby community garden. I was driving by so couldn't tell exactly what they used. I thought about landscape fabric, but it would be expensive to cover my whole garden in that. I also that about just black plastic painter tarps, but I fear they might get brittle and leave tiny bits of plastic all over the garden. Any idea what I could use that would be economical?

Mulch. >_> Leaves and wood chips, inches thick if you can. It's way better for the soil, will add biomass and absorb nitrogen from rain and snow over the winter.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Need to put some light on it but here are part of the 6 most hatched in the night
another is on it 's way

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

I believe @Acre4Me has used this method to “cook” weeds. However, I don’t think it is recommended for over winter. Leaves are good as @ChocolateMouse mentioned. Since I have so much of it, I use cardboard. I have extra dirt so I put a layer of cardboard over the garden bed then put enough dirt to weigh it down. The cardboard will help smother weeds and then fertilize the soil as it breaks down.

 

[Sueby]

Hey all!

I use mulch on my beds too - it's usually straw (the no seed kind) & leaves. This year I've got a cover crop growing.

Thanksgiving will be me, DH, my sister & her 3 kids & their SOs. My parents & my brother & his family are staying home. We're all trying to quarantine as much as possible before then. We'll do the usuals, turkey, stuffing, taters, etc. I'm making a pumpkin cheesecake with gingersnap crust. & bread.

I had to run to BJs to get a few things, they have limits back on things again & they were very low on tp, paper towels, napkins, etc. But I managed to get most everything on my list. Didn't look like any meat shortages there & prices were normal so that's good.

Have a great day!

 

[cooingdove]

Need to put some light on it but here are part of the 6 most hatched in the night
another is on it 's way

 

[cooingdove]

congrats!!!

 

[oldhen2345]

Since I have so much of it, I use cardboard. I have extra dirt so I put a layer of cardboard over the garden bed then put enough dirt to weigh it down. The cardboard will help smother weeds and then fertilize the soil as it breaks down.

I am gonna try this. There are so many weeds in my bed, I can hardly keep up with pulling them. Seems like for every one I pull, three grow back.

 

[Acre4Me]

Anybody cover their beds with black plastic or fabric for the winter? I seen this in a nearby community garden. I was driving by so couldn't tell exactly what they used. I thought about landscape fabric, but it would be expensive to cover my whole garden in that. I also that about just black plastic painter tarps, but I fear they might get brittle and leave tiny bits of plastic all over the garden. Any idea what I could use that would be economical?

snow provides nitrogen to the soil, so something permeable is best. Leaves are great for winter cover. I’ve used plastic during heat of summer between Early and late crops. I used clear plastic snd it worked well (I’d make a few adjustments though).

 

[TropicalBabies]

Need to put some light on it but here are part of the 6 most hatched in the night
another is on it 's way View attachment 2414520View attachment 2414521

Congratulations Penny!!! Good fun!!! May you have plenty pretty girls!!!

 

[TropicalBabies]

I wonder if the community garden put compost and mulch and then covered. Black plastic is used here to kill weeds and nematodes in summers. LOVE the cardboard and leafy material thoughts. That is def what I would do if it were me, I am so over plastics...