Question: How should I prepare a fall garden prior to mulching it?
How do you prepare your garden in fall for the long winter ahead, so that, come spring, you'll be all ready to plant...?
Answer: When all the plants in fall vegetable gardens and annual flower gardens have been harvested or are dead, garden mulching can begin. But prior to mulching gardens, take the following steps:
- Remove plant debris from gardens:
- If plant debris (spent annual flowers and vegetable plants) appears disease-free, compost it.
- Otherwise, dispose of it.
- Don't let weeds remain in your garden: You'll only have to deal with them (or their seedlings) in spring.
- Now you're ready for rototilling your soil (if you've determined that you need to mix in lime, that is, to sweeten the soil).
- If using leaves as a garden mulch, shred them first (for example, by running the lawn mower over them before collecting them).
- Note: the frequently asked question, Why should I shred mulch leaves? is answered in the next FAQ.
