Time for End-of-Season Cleanup

Posted in Gardening Tips on October 5 2010, by Plant Talk

Written by Burpee Home Gardens Team. Burpee Home Gardens is a Supporting Sponsor of The Edible Garden.

As the weather takes a resolute turn toward fall, the vegetable plants you’ve nurtured all summer are finally reaching their end. For many new gardeners who are experiencing their first thrill of growing success, saying good-bye to the garden is bittersweet. Many vegetables such as indeterminate tomatoes, pepper plants, and beanstalks will continue to produce fruit until frosty temperatures prevail. And even though you long to delay the inevitable (and even hedge Mother Nature by trying to bring plants indoors), the truth is, to every thing there is a season, and this one’s coming to a close.

It’s now time to take part in necessary garden cleanup to ensure the next growing season is just as successful. Begin by taking note of your garden’s layout (if you haven’t recorded this already). This helps as you plan for crop rotation next season, which will aid in disease control and soil nutrition.

Then it’s time to clear away any damaged or diseased plants whose bacteria could fester over winter in the soil and contaminate next year’s plants. If you maintain a “hot” compost pile (one that reaches at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit for two to three weeks), the unhealthy plants can be composted. Otherwise, send diseased material off site with the rest of your landscape disposal. Leftover healthy plant material that has died after the frost can be safely composted.

To reduce the risk of early blight in your environment, be sure to remove tomato plants (roots and all). Dead foliage and vines should also be cleared away to discourage squash bugs, cucumber beetles, rodents, and others pests from thriving over winter. Cages, trellises, containers, and other garden items can be stored outdoors and be readied in the spring for use with a quick cleansing using a 10 percent bleach solution.

Once the plants and garden items are removed, turn over or till the soil. This rough mixing can eliminate microorganisms through the decomposition process. No need to smooth the surface of your garden when you’re through; the freeze/thaw cycle of winter can improve your soil’s texture for next year.

All good things must come to an end, but proper garden cleanup means more goodness next year!