Chop and drop
Some plants are looking a little sad and droopy after the downpour of rain.
To keep the garden looking nice and fresh, Alex recommends the “chop and drop” method for plant stems that are dying back. The method is what the name suggests: we take a plant, chop the stem and drop the cut portion on the ground.
This method has several benefits. For one, by leaving the roots and a portion of the stem intact in the ground, we still allow space for insect populations that nest in hollow plant stems during the winter.
Additionally, by dropping the cut portion on the soil we let the natural compost process take place without us having to make compost separately. These cuttings will decompose by springtime!
Alex demonstrating the “chop and drop” method
More garlic
We did more work on the garlic bed today! We planted some more garlic and buffed up the garlic beds with compost and straw.
Helen, a master gardener, shared that straw is amazing for the vegetable beds. It helps with moisture retention in the soil to save water. And it also suppresses weed growth by preventing weed seeds from germinating. It would save so much work for us next year to not have to weed all the time!!
Preparing garlic for planting
Adding compost and straw to the garlic bed
Straw added to the planter with garlic
Garlic bed fully covered with straw. It’s so beautiful!!
