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Rhode Island

A QUICK NOTE FOR THE NEWER GROWERS IN ATTENDANCE.

THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR WHEN A LOT OF US WANT A BREAK AND DONT CARE FOR DOING ANYMORE WORK IN THE PATCH. WE WOULD RATHER LET THE OLD PLANTS AND VINES DIE OFF NATURALLY.

ITS WRONG TO THINK THIS WAY AND INSTEAD WE SHOULD BE CLEANING OUT THE OLD PLANTS, TESTING SOIL, ADDING ORGANIC MATTER, ETC,ETC,IN PREPARATION FOR SPRING OF 2008.

IF YOU GET THE GARDEN READY FOR SPRING NOW YOU WONT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT GETTING STARTED IN BAD WEATHER DURING THE SPRING

ALSO IF YOU HAVE TO USE RAW MANURE VS AGED IT MUST BE PUT DOWN NOW.

WE ALSO LIKE TO ADD ANY GYPSUM,CALCIDIC LIME,HUMIC ACID AND O-O-50 THEN TILL NOW.

BY DOING SO THE AMMENDMENTS CAN WORK AND BREAK DOWN GRADUALLY INTO THE SOILS TOP 10 TO 12" LAYER OVER THE COMING WINTER MONTHS.

DITTO EVEN IF YOU LIVE IN THE SOUTH OR OUT ON THE WEST COAST. SOIL IS SOIL AND IT NEEDS TIME TO REST AND RECOUP BEFORE PUTTING OUT NUTRIENTS AGAIN.

PAP

10/21/2007 9:09:19 AM

Hayward, CA

Hi Pap,
New member to the SNGPG here. I have a question on my soil report. Could you e-mail me at brentchester @ comcast . net ?

10/21/2007 11:06:18 AM

Delaware, Ohio

Thanks for the reminder and helpful hints Pap. I needed the kick in the pants. The weather has been so nice, I keep forgetting that it may snow next weekend. Lots of work to do!
~Chriss

10/21/2007 11:06:30 AM

ExtremeVegetables.com

Working on it now Pap!

Just came in for a break after turning my two dump loads of composted grass clippings, leaves and fresh manure.
This year I found a supply of two year old composted cow manure and brought three dump loads in for the patch.
Started tilling in this morning.

Should have the results of my soil samples back tomorrow.

Thanks for adding the checklist of patch ammendments!

10/21/2007 12:07:38 PM

Somers, CT

Yea, wife is still mad. That means I am still going but almost done.

10/21/2007 7:53:39 PM

Minnesota

Today I dug a 4 1/2 ft hole/pit 3ft deep, I took all the clay out of it, it was alot of work.

10/21/2007 8:20:07 PM

new middletown ohio

fog, you already going in the wrong direction!! you DUG a 4' hole and took all the clay out, what about all of the clay in a 20' circle around it ?? all you did was create a small lake. build your hole above the ground!! curvey 1 are you paying attention? sameole sameole.

10/21/2007 11:46:44 PM

Jefferson, Ohio

Raggu, thats good advise if he is on clay! I'm on clay and learned the hard way... each grower has to know their conditions...What kind of HUMIC ACID are you guys ammending with? Is it liquid (spry on) or something in powder. Anybody know any "brands" to look for? JR

10/22/2007 8:33:35 AM