The summer months swing by fast and by mid September, most of your summer plants will be at the end of their life cycle. These include: bush tomatoes, squash, eggplants, pole and bush beans, cucumbers and melons.
Most of these plants won’t give you much more past end of September, so don’t be tempted to keep summer plants in a low fruiting state. Just pull them out and make space for the many great edible plant varieties for fall and winter.
That said, some of your summer plants will remain productive through October and even November. These include: cherry tomatoes, tomatillos, basil, pumpkins, peppers.
You can plant around these until they are ready to be removed which is usually when it gets colder and the days are shorter. Perennial herbs such as Sage, Rosemary, Thyme, and Oregano can be left in place as they will continue to grow through November and come back next spring after some winter die back.
Soil Preparation
Once you have cleared your space it’s time to replenish your soil. Summer plants are big nutrient feeders and your soil will be very depleted by end of Summer season, so it is critical to prepare your soil properly for the coming season. Here’s what your soil will need:
1. NPK fertilizer (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium. Like recipe 420 recharge or EB Stone Tomato and Veg food
2. A good compost product (preferably home made) or worm castings. These generate microbial activity in your soil.
3. A mineral compound such as Azomite or Leingbenite. These rock dusts contain the full spectrum of minerals your plants need to synthesize nutrients. They also ensure that your leafy greens are mineral rich with iron, potassium, magnesium and more.
Here’s a guide to what you need to replenish an existing 4’x8’ raised bed (32 sq ft) for Fall/Winter crops:
1. 2 cups Recipe 420 recharge or 3 cups EB Stone Tomato and Vegetable food. (NPK nutrients)
2. 2 cubic ft Compost or EB Stone Worm castings (Microbial)
3. 2lbs Azomite or Leingbenite (Mineral)]
4. If the bed is less than 3/4 full add two 3 cu ft bags EB Stone Raised Bed Mix or 6 1.5 cu ft bags Recipe 420.
Make sure to mix all materials together and blend 8-12’’ deep with existing soil. This will also help with aeration of the soil.
What To Plant Now
Here is our list of fall winter crops: Alliums, Brassicas, Cooking & Salad Leafy Greens, Winter Herbs, Legumes, Small & Large Root Crops & Flowers
