Preparing my small garden for winter.

[Beesunny]

Hi! I am really new to gardening so I have lots of questions about how to approach this winter. I only have a small garden, some pots and two small raised beds. I wanted to ensure my soil can improve during the winter, as I don’t have anything I want to plant at the moment. Today I shredded all my own dead plants into the raised beds and buried it under, with coffee grounds and egg shells. I’m not sure if covering this with tarp is a good idea? I’m also not sure what else I can do to help my soil, as there doesn’t seem to be any worms or other insects digging around. The lowest temperature it’ll get in the garden is around -5. Is there any advice on what I can do to improve my soil and garden for next spring? Thank you!!

 

[Esther Knapicius]

Lyme, put a dusting of lyme on the entire area. and let nature slowly deal with it. with rain and snow. No tarp.

 

[Beesunny]

I can’t see anything about Lyme for gardens.. what is this?

 

[Esther Knapicius]

Spelled incorrect, should be Lime. anyway, here is one of a few links that did come up. BTW Amish folks out here always use it for their last covering before winter. https://www.thespruce.com/garden-lime-how-its-used-in-landscaping-2131080

 

[Meadowlark]

You have "done good" by adding organic matter to your soil. If you have access to compost you could do "more good" by covering the beds with a few inches of it. "Really good" would be planting a legume cover crop and turning that under next spring...although it is probably too late for that in your area.

Regarding adding lime, proceed with caution. It is important to know the PH of your soil currently if you are changing it...and lime will change the PH, raising it.

As the referenced article states:

Most plants fall into either of two categories:

• Those that prefer soil that is neutral to slightly acid
• Those that prefer soil that is neutral to slightly alkaline

Lime will raise the PH of your soil. If that is what you need, then go for it, but slowly. If not, then don't use lime.

Let me give you a simple example...let's say you wanted to grow some potatoes in your raised bed. Potatoes like a PH of 5.3 to 6. If your existing soil PH is above 6 and you want to grow potatoes, you absolutely do not want to increase PH further by adding lime. The potato crop will suffer.

 

[Beesunny]

Spelled incorrect, should be Lime. anyway, here is one of a few links that did come up. BTW Amish folks out here always use it for their last covering before winter. https://www.thespruce.com/garden-lime-how-its-used-in-landscaping-2131080

Thank you!!

 

[Beesunny]

You have "done good" by adding organic matter to your soil. If you have access to compost you could do "more good" by covering the beds with a few inches of it. "Really good" would be planting a legume cover crop and turning that under next spring...although it is probably too late for that in your area.

Regarding adding lime, proceed with caution. It is important to know the PH of your soil currently if you are changing it...and lime will change the PH, raising it.

As the referenced article states:

Most plants fall into either of two categories:

• Those that prefer soil that is neutral to slightly acid
• Those that prefer soil that is neutral to slightly alkaline

Lime will raise the PH of your soil. If that is what you need, then go for it, but slowly. If not, then don't use lime.

Let me give you a simple example...let's say you wanted to grow some potatoes in your raised bed. Potatoes like a PH of 5.3 to 6. If your existing soil PH is above 6 and you want to grow potatoes, you absolutely do not want to increase PH further by adding lime. The potato crop will suffer.

Thank you so much! I will try to get my hands on some fresh compost. Is there any way I can introduce worms into my soil or will that slowly happen naturally?
Maybe I will avoid lime for now, since I’m not sure what I aim to plant next spring. I appreciate the response!

 

[lifegardener]

I can’t see anything about Lyme for gardens.. what is this?

Not a bad idea to use a bit of it (Lime) if you can get it - it can assist in decomposing the organic material quicker. You don't need much though, just a slight dusting.

Leafy vegetables should grow well with the lower lighting of Winter.

If you want to plant right away, suggest buying one or two six packs of lettuce, digging holes and planting them in with good potting soil.

Let us know how things grow.

 

[Beesunny]

Not a bad idea to use a bit of it (Lime) if you can get it - it can assist in decomposing the organic material quicker. You don't need much though, just a slight dusting.

Leafy vegetables should grow well with the lower lighting of Winter.

If you want to plant right away, suggest buying one or two six packs of lettuce, digging holes and planting them in with good potting soil.

Let us know how things grow.

Thank you! I might need to try to lime. I do have plenty of lettuce seed packs, the only issue is leafy plants never seem to grow happily in my garden. Maybe I’ll attempt and update

 

[lifegardener]

Thank you! I might need to try to lime. I do have plenty of lettuce seed packs, the only issue is leafy plants never seem to grow happily in my garden. Maybe I’ll attempt and update

If you have any issues, please post a photo.