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In order to have your garden area ready for planting next spring, you need to start preparing the soil as soon as the fall harvest is finished.
Following are some things to do this autumn that will have your garden spot organized and in great shape for next spring.
- If you're planning a new garden space, turn and till the planned site.
- If you have compost, spread it over your garden and till it under.
- If you don't have compost, spread peat moss and till it under. There are directions on the package regarding how much to use.
- Pull up dead plants, and place them on your compost heap (if you don't have a compost heap, start one, using a little peat moss and the garden refuse).
- Install, repair, or replace bean poles, trellises, or fences.
- Draw a plan on graph paper for next season's garden. Chart locations of plants, dates for planting/sowing, and if you plan on using seeds or transplants. Try and rotate plant locations from the previous year.
- Purchase as many supplies as possible. Often, stores will have sales on garden tools, fertilizers, and other gardening supplies in the late summer or early fall.
- Have existing tools sharpened/repaired/painted.
- If you plan on starting some plants before putting them in your garden, purchase or build so-called "cold boxes" for this purpose.
- On a calendar for the following year, fill in dates for when to plow, till, plant, fertilize, harvest, and replant.
By using these simple tips, next year's gardening will be easier and more organized. You'll also find these preparations rejuvenate your soil, and help it produce good crops year after year.
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