The days are getting visibly shorter. I cannot seem to get most of what I have to do done before it is too dark to see. Too bad I did not have time to install those new yard lights… Although the cold weather has not really hit yet, most people are not really thinking about gardening anymore.  I have been thinking a lot about gardening lately. This is probably one of the best times to get some projects done in the garden. Many of the items I discuss are actually for next year’s garden!

Although most people complain about the leaves in the yard, I just smile (then complain under my breath when I lose a whole day to leaf duty). Leaves make the most wonderful compost, especially if given a little attention along the way. It is best to chop the leaves into small pieces, if possible, otherwise they tend to mat when they get wet. I would also recommend placing them in an active compost site where the microbe populations are at their strongest. Mixing in a little mature compost into the pile will help as well. It is best to turn the compost pile often. I will do this every few weeks. You would be surprised how the heat of decomposition keeps the pile warm even in when the ground is frozen! I love to see the steam come off a freshly turned pile.  Not only does the turning process help aerate the pile and therefore aide in decomposition, it also helps more thoroughly mix the ingredients. There is a whole science to composting, but I always recommend to use what you have, and add as much to it as possible. Kitchen scrapes, including egg shells, can go a long way to enriching that rotting leaf pile.

The author’s large leaf pile half way through the yard leaf clean up day. This will be turned multiple times during the fall, early winter, and spring. Photo by mrl2021.

Another thing people generally do not think about this time of year is a soil test. Soil analysis labs are inundated with soil tests each spring. In reality, you might be better off testing in the fall.  You will probably get your results back sooner. In addition, you will have more time to make any amendments, and to plan out the ideal crops for that plot. The one amendment that comes to mind first is limestone. Connecticut soils, in general, are low in pH. Many gardeners do lime in the spring, but it is actually better to lime in the fall and mix that in so the soil is ready in the spring. Certain crops, like brambles (blackberries and raspberries) actually prefer this method of liming. 

It is important to note that limestone is not required each spring, and the amount you need to apply, if any, is determined by a calculation based on your current soil pH and the optimal pH needed to grow a specific crop. Luckily, most soil testing places will do the calculations for you.  All you need to do is send in the soil and they do the rest. Again, I want to emphasize that the most important thing to do is test the soil first. I so frequently run into people who just lime because they think they should. If a test is not done, you might be wasting your money. If your pH is correct and you lime, now it will be too high. If your pH is too low, you might not be putting enough lime on. Also, there to two different types of lime – calcitic and dolomitic. Their chemistry differs depending on the amount of calcium or magnesium in the mix. Your soil test results can indicate surpluses or deficiencies in those nutrients, which will help you to select the correct lime for your situation.  Collecting soil samples is not hard to do, but it does take a little bit of time.  The efforts will pay off when you are able to tune in the chemistry going on in your garden soil. 

A large area covered by a tarp to kill the weeds and grass. This will be pulled up and limed this fall, and a cover crop will be planted. Photo by mrl2021.

Another fall time garden activity that often gets overlooked is taking stock of crop performance.  So many times, we think we will remember what did good and what did not, but we forget when we go to order seeds or buy our plants the following year. It is helpful to write down that information as it will help you with your seed orders on a cold winter’s night! This is also a good time to plan out, measure out, and maybe even start to prepare the soil in a new garden site. Time is so precious in the spring, and it always seems like I get behind on gardening. The weather certainly throws us off schedule. This is why it is so important to try and save time by doing as much as possible now.

These Zinnias and Cosmos did great in my wife’s bouquets. Knowing what variety I planted is important for ordering seeds next year. Photo by mrl2021.

Don’t forget to harvest as well. Many times we get tired of going out to the field, or the time gets away from us and the sun is down before we know it. Make sure you get your potatoes and any shell beans that are remaining harvested. I have had a great year with volunteers. These are plants that came up from seed and were not planted intentionally by the gardener. Many times the seeds somehow make it through the winter and germinate. This past weekend I just harvested three pumpkins, and a big bowl of cherry tomatoes – all from volunteers. There are also some really big squash growing out the side of the compost pile that I have to get as well. 

Lima beans waiting for harvest. Photo by mrl2021.

My final suggestion is to weed. Normally this is the chore we hate the most, but even more so when it is a cold, wet, fall day. This will make life easier in the spring. Leaving some small grass clumps that came up this year will turn into large, hard to pull grass mounds by the spring. Remember, the goal is to free up time and make life easier next spring. It will be here before you know it so, as the old saying goes, “make hay while the sun shines!”

Can you find the horseradish in amongst the weeds? Photo by mrl2021.

Matt Lisy