We’re all somewhere on the garden path. Some of us have a few pots, maybe indoor herbs, maybe a farm. Our family is working to make the most of our big suburban backyard. One year ago, almost to the day, I was completing the prep for our new vegetable garden! We’ve been through a bit of an explosion in our backyard over the last few years. And this expanded space is the latest in what we’ve dubbed ‘musical gardens’. Well, these beauties are staying put!
In order to add the amount of growing space we wanted fast, we went with a well known no till option called “Lasagna Gardening”. Just one growing season in and I’m amazed at what a great addition these beds have been!
In The Beginning…
When we moved in 10 years ago our backyard had spruce trees, overgrown bridal wreath and an almost dead hydrangea. And a lawn of mostly creeping charlie. No garden in site. Needless to say, we’ve added A LOT of perennials, bushes, trees, chickens, pathways, and yes- Gardens. Of course the creeping charlie will forever be part of our landscape as well… But let’s focus on the Vegetable Garden here. Continue reading
And just like that, it’s time to prepare your garden for Winter! We skipped right over frost warnings and went straight to a freeze warning for tonight. Oh Minnesota, somehow your sweet Summer song always lulls me into forgetting about Winter lurking around the corner. It seems like yesterday I was sweating away, swatting mosquitoes, harvesting the abundance from my gardens. So how on earth is there a freeze warning for tomorrow!?!
Ramsey County Master Gardeners at your service
Since I’m aware the fast change always catches me off guard, I asked friend and local Master Gardener, Brianna Godhe, to give us her take on getting our vegetable gardens ready for the inevitable. The Ramsey County Master Gardeners have been a great asset to our local gardening community, recently attending a Harvest Party, available for Q&A.
Take it away Brianna-
Tucking the Vegetable Garden into Bed
As the days get shorter and the evenings get cooler, it’s time to think about preparing your vegetable garden for winter. It’s hard to think about ice and snow in September when the sun is still warm but you want to be ready. Our average first frost date– that is, the date when we can expect a hard frost which will kill the tender and warm-season crops in your garden – for St. Paul, MN is October 9. It can happen anytime from the end of September to the end of October. It’s a hard truth: once the State Fair ends, our gardening days are numbered.
Here goes my first official Forks in the Dirt blog post; all about COMPOST! Here we cover all the composting basics you need to get started.
(Hope it doesn’t stink…ha)
*Updated 4/1/24 with some new photos and stats*
Some people make their own, some buy it in bags, some take advantage of county-run sites and pick it up by the bucket or truck load. Whichever way you get compost into your soil, it will boost your plants without adding synthetic chemicals. Equally important is keeping your food and yard waste out of landfills! The Natural Resources Defense Council has great articles and ways to get involved in reducing food waste!
the EPA estimates that, “in 2019, 66 million tons of wasted food was generated in the food retail, food service, and residential sectors“
Here are some different ways to let decomposition do its thing and create the fuel to grow our plants and not make extra methane in landfills.
Home Brew
Having your own compost bin is hands down the most efficient way to deal with food and yard waste. No transportation, (except a wheelbarrow) and you can manage your own supply based on your demand.
