How I did it: The soil was prepared and in raised beds from the spring.  I pulled out the old tomatoes.  I've learned that the quality of the late tomatoes is not worth the garden space.  I had put in determinate types so they all tomatoed simultaneously anyway.  I removed the old beans, broccoli, and onions.  I left one broccoli that looks like it will still "head."  I amended the soil with compost and some slow release fertilizer.  I then planted cool weather crops like spinach, lettuce, radish, peas.  Being hopeful, I planted a last cohort of cucumber and beans.  With a tarp over the poles they might make it.  I trimmed the pole beans away from the fence so that the deer won't eat them as food become more scarce.  And then I put in some garlic.  The garlic will actually grow thru the winter and should be ready next June.  I used organic garlic from the supermarket.  I had no luck with "normal garlic" and I think they might put a chemical on it to prevent it from sprouting.

Lessons & tips:

1. Pull out anything that looks leggy. The chance it will be productive again is slight.
2. Plant fast maturing seeds and varieties.
3. Unless you are growing for survival take a bit of risk by planting frost tender varieties right up to the deadline.  Life is better with modest risk.
4. Make your own compost.  There is no better soil amendment.  I made one with a cement slab with three bins to rotate vegetable matter.

Aug 29, 2011, 05:23PM PDT | 0 comments | 2 cheers