Preparing for fall

I am clearing all my beds, getting ready to spread the compost the worms made for me out of our veggie kitchen scraps.As I cleared the herb garden of weeds today, I decided to build a cold frame close to the house to try to extend the growing seasons. After researching, I decided to build a geodesic dome greenhouse instead.There are quite a few sites online that offer advise on this project. Stay tuned!

Small lessons for next spring.

This morning I have been busy in the garden, after a couple of weeks of  neglect due to very hot and humid weather.  Pulling weeds, harvesting seeds, and clearing the rows for fall plantings. Here are a few things I have learned. Smarter gardeners then I probably know these things already, but there is nothing like learning from personal experience! So here goes:

• Newspaper as a weed block and garden mulch really works well. I will use it throughout the garden!
• Peas are delicious, but a pain because they take so long to shell. I will now plant mostly sugar snaps.
• Try a new variety of cucumbers, the ones I tried this year had less taste than I like.
• The soap/pepper/garlic spray works like a charm.
• Be careful not to wait to long to harvest the seeds from bolted lettuce. Several varieties dropped their seeds before I got to them.
• I like the way plum varieties of tomatoes grow.A longer season of production, no cracking, healthier plants, and easier to support.
• I liked my separate area for melons. I didn't have to worry about encroachment on the other crops, and they seemed low maintenance.
• I liked my herb garden, but I need to work on making it more low maintenance too. The veggie garden takes most of my gardening energy.