After a long and productive growing season, most garden soils can benefit from amendments before the ground freezes.
- Renew organic matter in the vegetable garden and empty flowerbeds while also clearing the yard of debris.
- Run a lawn mower over fallen leaves, collect, and spread in beds.
- Dig and mix leaves into soil to a depth of 6 inches.
- Also, add broken-down compost from the bottom of your compost pile, or add bagged compost. Dehydrated cow or sheep manure makes an excellent amendment.
All this effort in the autumn and early winter means only having to turn soil and plant in Spring!
Originally published on October 28th, 2012. Updated on September 27th, 2019.