For a gardener, it's all about what can be done during the dead of winter. All the leaves have fallen from the trees here at the Crossroads and it's winter in the garden.
As soon as they fell, I got them up and spread them in the garden. They make an excellent mulch and help to revitalize the soil. I've come to appreciate the value of organic material like the leaves . They are full of trace minerals that the trees draw up from deep in the soil. They serve as great food for earthworms and beneficial microbes. The leaves are also good for holding moisture in our sandy loam soil. In just a few weeks, I'll break out my tiller and mix these leaves into the soil. After all, it's about preparing for spring planting that will be here before we know it. For us here in the South, a few things like potatoes, onions, and spring peas can be planted in February.
In December, I pulled up the remaining plants from our fall garden. In February I will mix in more garden soil and compost in these raised beds. Jane and I are already planning what vegetables to plant and where to plant them. In the dead of winter, we spend a lot of cold, wet days in the bookstore perusing gardening books and magazines . Every time we do this, we pick up new ideas and fresh tips. After all, a garden is an ongoing learning process. What worked last year, and what didn't work well last year??? It's a new challenge each season.
On these gloomy, cold days it's nice to remember what things looked like last spring
and the mild, warm weather.
And here's what it looks like in the dead of winter.
I've been adding organic materials to our compost bin for months.
I think of it like cooking a big pot of fertilizer. Pretty soon I'll put on my boots and be right in the middle of this lovely pile. Yeah, you've got to get down and dirty to be a real gardener!
It's the dead of winter in the garden here at the Crossroads, but we all know that everything will be green and blooming before we know it. Ain't the cycle of nature a wonderful thing?
liz
I needed this post - it's cold, but sunny. This is a good reminder to get out and prep for the spring. I missed out on my garden last year - bought some items to improve the raised beds and get the watering system in, but never got around to it. Now is the time, whenever the weather is agreeable. I already have about 4 catalogs to entice me to get planning for 2015!
Martie Brown
Love your garden. The roses on the fence are beautiful. What is the name and type? Am also
trying to figure out your watering system on your raised beds. So neat.
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Thank you Marty. The roses are single flower red knockout roses that we planted about five years ago. We trim them back and fertilize them each year. Click the link below to read about our watering system. It's nice to have a watering system near your raised beds since they dry out quickly. Thanks for stopping by!
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You did the right thing Patty. The leaves will help the garden. May I suggest that you test your soil. After the results of your test, they will offer recommendations to amend your soil. Good luck on your second year.
Marlene Stephenson
I don't have much space but i would like a new bed to plant more in and i need to get it done,so thanks Leo for reminding me.
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Thank you for stopping by Marlene. Happy gardening.
Patty
I had a garden for the first time this year. I already told my husband I want a bigger one next year. I had no clue what I was doing but I also raked the leaves into the raised bed. After reading your blog today, I realized I did the right thing. Thank you for the info.
Jayne
My husband and I use to do a garden. We haven't had one in a few years. I miss the fresh green beans! I really want to do one this year and am hoping to talk my husband into a small raised bed garden instead of the big one he used a tractor to plow up. We're not as young or as ambitious as we used to be. I think a small garden would be just perfect!
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The raised beds really cut down on the hours spent in the garden. I'm thinking about adding a few more. If you want to build your own, here's a post that might help. Thanks for the comment.
AnnMarie
Our gardens in the northeast are soon to be covered in snow again! I leave all my leaves that fall through the winter and rake in the spring. I think my gardens like that!
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Hi Ann Marie,
Your garden will definitely benefit from the leaves under the snow. Thanks for stopping by.
Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage
Hi Leo,
I hate looking at the brown where color once was too. I know your gardens will look so pretty this spring and summer. We have 6 inches of snow covering my garden areas right now. Ohhhhhh to think of spring and summer ahhhhhh! Have a great week.
Kris
Leo Windham
Oh noooooo on snow. That's exactly why I live in South Carolina besides that fact that this is where I was raised. I love it. Here's to a quick thaw for you and happy planting when you can, Thanks for the comment.
anewkirk
I noticed your watering system in your raised beds. How do they work?
Leo Windham
The watering system works great and I highly recommend the effort and expense to install some sort of watering system since the beds tend to dry out quickly. Thanks for the comment.
Barbara (WA)
I, too, use the fallen leaves as mulch but this year, right at the peak of Autumn, I fell & broke my wrist. It will be an interesting Spring since my gardens will have to recover from neglect. I am browsing seed catalogues & hope to start some in February!
Leo Windham
Hi Barbara,
I'm sorry to hear that you broke your wrist and I hope it's better. It won't take much to catch up when you start planting. Good luck and thanks for stopping by The Cottage at the Crossroads.
Dawn
Leo, I'm not fond of the dead brown look either but it does give you a chance to rest and plan for spring. My garden is covered in snow, and my first seed book arrived in the mail last week.
Leo Windham
Hi Dawn,
We've gotten a few seed catalogs as well. We're going to try some different stuff this year and we'll let you know what and how it turns out. Thanks for stopping by.
[email protected] Designs
Your beautiful garden is resting ... it needs all the rest it can get to come back strong in its most beautiful state...to gain the energy the flowers and plants need to bring you beauty...Love your garden and look forward to seeing it in the Spring.
Leo Windham
Hi Shirley,
You're right but the gardener doesn't get much rest. We've got to get ready for planting.
Good to hear from you and I hope all is well with you. Thanks for the comment.