THE GARDENER’S HELPER
By:Beth Nardone
November is here and the planting season is drawing to a close. Deciduous trees and shrubs – those that lose their leaves every autumn – and spring-flowering bulbs still can be planted. But cleaning up the garden in preparation for winter is the main chore this month.
Finish pulling up the spent annuals that frost has killed. And trim back the browned perennial plants so that insect pests won’t over-winter and return next spring.
Ornamental grasses should be left alone to add some winter interest to the landscape. In March they can be trimmed back before their new growth starts.
Leave the last of the rose blooms on the bushes to form rose hips (seeds). This will signal the plant to shut down for winter. All fallen leaves from the rose bushes should be cleaned up and discarded to prevent the spread of fungal diseases next year.
Extra-long canes that might be damaged by winter winds can be pruned back to 24 inches. But all major pruning should be done in late March.
Raking or blowing the fallen leaves to the curb for pick-up is a common practice. Why not put those leaves to better use? Take some cues from Mother Nature.
Leaves make a great mulch around shrubs and over flower beds. Run the lawn mower over dry leaves a couple of times to shred them before you use them. The shredded leaves will decompose quicker and add organic atter to the soil.
One of the best uses for leaves is as an addition to the compost pile. And if you don’t have a compost pile now is a perfect time to build one. It’s easy to do and no matter how you put one together you are likely to end up with good, usable compost.
Composting is a natural process that involves microorganisms breaking down organic materials such as leaves, grass clippings, yard wastes and vegetable scraps.
The end product is a rich soil-like substance, known as compost. Compost is dark, crumbly and has an earthy smell – similar to the aroma you experience on a walk through the woods.
To start your compost pile, select a site that is easily accessible on grass or soil. Starting a pile in close proximity to a garden area can save time and energy later.
Place some small branches or other coarse materials on the bottom to help add air to the pile. Add organic materials in layers, either all at once or over several months as they become available.
An equal ratio of green materials that are nitrogen-rich, such as grass clippings and vegetable scraps, to brown materials that are carbon-rich, such as leaves and straw, works well.
Large materials will decompose faster if they are shredded before being added to the pile.
The pile should be at least 3 feet wide and 3 feet high, but not more than 5 feet by 5 feet.
Keep the pile moist, the consistency of a damp sponge. Turn the pile at least once a month with a pitch fork to move the outside layers to the inside. More frequent turning will hasten the decomposition.
Beside all the yard waste, grass clippings and leaves; vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, sawdust and wood ash can be added to the pile. Food scraps that contain meat or fats will attract insects, rodents and other animals to the pile.
Other things to leave off the pile are persistent weeds, diseased or insect-infested plants and plants that have gone to seed. Dog, cat and human feces should never be added to a compost pile. All of them contain harmful parasites that will survive the composting process.
Compost piles do not need to be enclosed, but many gardeners use a bin or enclosure. Bins help to keep the pile neat and maintain conditions needed for rapid decomposition. A simple homemade bin can be constructed with materials on hand. Durable plastic bins, tumblers and packaged kits are all available commercially.
The uses and benefits of compost are many. Organic gardeners often refer to compost as "black gold." Add compost to vegetable and flower beds before planting. Incorporate one inch to three inches into the soil to add valuable nutrients, improve soil structure and water retention.
Use compost as a mulch around all garden plantings including trees and shrubs to keep weeds down and keep the soil moist.
Perhaps the best reason for composting is the benefit it has on the environment. Composting utilizes materials that would otherwise be discarded as trash, reducing the volume of garbage entering landfills.
With the use of compost, chemical fertilizers and water use are reduced. Compost also aids in erosion control.
Composting is quick, easy and fun. Get the whole family involved doing something great for environment-improving the health of the soil for years to come.
Beth Nardone is a botanist who works at the Bell Mead Farmers Co-op.