If you enjoyed this video, please "Like" and share to help increase its reach! Thanks for watching 😀TIMESTAMPS here: 0:00 Should I Amend Soil Now? 1:08 Scenario #1: Amend In Fall 2:07 Scenario #2: Amend In Fall 3:24 Scenario #3: Amend In Fall 4:28 Scenario #4: Do NOT Amend Yet 7:27 Scenario #5: A Huge Waste Of Money! 11:22 Why You MUST Cover Garden Soil 12:52 Adventures With Dale
@tgardenchicken17809 ай бұрын
Protecting your soil, last tip is the most important tip to remember and to actually do.
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
Most don’t. It just sits and bakes all winter 😔 It makes a difference. Even if you just toss a tarp over it, it helps.
@bethb82769 ай бұрын
Some things seem so common sense, but we don't always consider them. Thanks for bringing this to our attention!
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
Unfortunately, it isn’t typical for us to analyze what we’re doing 😂 So many of us just go through motions. If you take the time to think about it, it makes sense!
@smas32569 ай бұрын
Yay. Dale gets breakfast in bed. I approved this message. When we started our small backyard garden about 5 years ago it was a struggle to to get a garden that flourished and thrived. Zone 6 b. We changed up our game and starting covering our garden in ways you've suggested here. It's a joy. In our mid 70's no dig.
@omegahunter99 ай бұрын
Parsley is growing on... everywhere, it went crazy.
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
Mine just germinated last week. It'll be awhile before it gets big. I'm impatiently waiting!
@joshuahoyer12799 ай бұрын
Our parsley is nuts too! We had a spot where it bolted during the summer, but the same plant some how carried on, and now I have a massive parsley bush! Time to break out the dehydrator.
@sherrieflynn2529 ай бұрын
Maryland too Our parsley was happy all summer under the shade of a tomato plant The frost last week killed off the tomato but the parsley looks great
@FloridaGirl-9 ай бұрын
I just seeded some seeds for parsley. (Zone 9a).
@jeannamcgregor99679 ай бұрын
I accidentally put bolted parsley into my not-very-hot compost and now have parsley growing as a weed in 10 places. I love it! I put parsley in everything now.
@IslandTiffiney9 ай бұрын
I find it amazing that you address issues like this on the day I've been thinking about it. You confirmed my opinion that I should add all of my garden scraps to my garden beds before I cover them with a tarp for winter. Thanks for all of the info! You just cut my research on this subject down by a few hours today.
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
I try to make my videos about what I’m doing at this exact moment. It tends to work out best this way. I’m glad the video was helpful!
@HotPotatoGardener-HPG-1439 ай бұрын
It's always rewarding to know that these videos could assist in making decision-making process easier.
@rosemaryus-ct61519 ай бұрын
the raccoons and other small animals would tear that up in a new york minute lol. i prefer a secure composting bin. easy to make one out of a metal trash barrel.
@sandraoconnor57009 ай бұрын
Hello Dear Dale, eat hearty❤❤❤
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
Boy, can that boy yet 🐶
@leonalarson15989 ай бұрын
This was quite informative, and thank you to the person who asked the question 😊
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
I'm glad it was helpful! Thanks so much for watching!
@patkrueger73539 ай бұрын
Where i live in PA i compost all my kitchen scraps. I do the leaves on my raised beds and surrounding ground. I do the no till method. I do my compost right before im getting ready to plant. Thanks for this info. Ir is snowing here today and it snowed yesterday.
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
Yikes. Snow. It's been very cold here the last few nights. Tonight will be our 4th night in a row in the upper 20's to mid 30's.
@christophergetchell64909 ай бұрын
I definitely fall into the third scenario for amending where I always place a layer of well shredded leaves on the soil covered by a layer of grass clipping I've been saving up. I either place the finished compost on the beds when I'm ready to plant, or I plant a fast growing cover crop if I'm not ready to plant in the spring!
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
I would guess that's probably working out well. The timing sounds correct.
@TheSnakeIsSolid19 ай бұрын
You are amazing You not only say do this, but you actually explain why. I've been spreading you like seed. 🤣
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
Thank you very much! I appreciate the sharing very much!
@angelawade14459 ай бұрын
I want to mulch my garden area but can never be certain what to buy. My garden is in the ground. Do I put down lime first since winter is just starting? I have pine trees near the garden, so I have a high ph. Also, don't think I want cider mulch. Just don't know what to do each year, so I do nothing. The garden never produces much after my hard efforts. All the advice I find is so confusing and overwhelming. You are the first person who makes sense.
@joannc1479 ай бұрын
Angela, you can submit soil samples to your local Extension Office where an agri lab will break down the true pH and mineral content of your soil. When you identify your location source as “vegetable garden”, you’ll also get a breakdown of what to add to amend soil for veg success (note that “at home pH test kits” are not as effective!). Wishing you the best of luck with that garden! As I understand it, cedar is slow to decompose. That makes it attractive for some purposes, but I agree with your caution. I’d rather have a mulch that decomposes quicker.
@MickyBellRoberts9 ай бұрын
Good morning, I came over from SelfSufficientMe and checked out your channel. Very nice indeed. I have subscribed to follow your channel.
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
Thanks for subscribing! I appreciate it!
@Patricia-v7z9 ай бұрын
Great information. Before this video I never thought about mulching the top of an empty garden bed. But your tips are valuable. Thanks.
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
It's very important. Exposed soil is sterile soil. Protecting the soil will make it much healthier and you'll build a much healthier soil microbiome.
@CartersGardens9 ай бұрын
I always love watching all your videos I've been doing alot of these in my garden. My new bed is going to be awesome
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
Excellent! I appreciate you watching.
@adairsulhoff54059 ай бұрын
Thanks very much for your posts. You think outside the box, and in my experience have been correct.
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
You're welcome! I'm glad the video was helpful!
@valoriegriego52129 ай бұрын
Very helpful indeed, MG!👍 Thanks! Yummy dessert! 🐕
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
You're welcome! Thanks for watching!
@StevenStGelais9 ай бұрын
Great breakdown on this topic🙏
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
Thank you!
@sylvia101019 ай бұрын
Thank you MG! 😊👍👍
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
You're welcome!
@MickyBellRoberts9 ай бұрын
Thank you for posting this video, very educational.
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
You're welcome! Thanks for watching!
@karendavis79889 ай бұрын
Thank you for the excellent explanation! ❤
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
You're welcome!
@lovelearn51589 ай бұрын
Thanks so much, I've learned a lot from this video.
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!
@TexasNana29 ай бұрын
Great information 👍 Dale said 🌟 ⭐ 🌟⭐🌟😊
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
His complaint was small portions 😆
@hopemorrison23679 ай бұрын
Wow thanks for all this useful info
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
Glad it was helpful! You're very welcome!
@debbybrady12469 ай бұрын
Good information. Thanks.
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
You're welcome!
@roserizzo30949 ай бұрын
Great tips, thank you!
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
You're welcome!
@eddy88289 ай бұрын
Dale is super. He scores 10/10
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
He’s a 13/10 😊
@susichristianson33959 ай бұрын
Lots of good information as always. I’m always aware of my raised beds and containers getting their nutrients washed away but hadn’t thought about the sun bleaching them away. Will be mindful to mulch everything very well from now on. I use coco coir throughout my whole garden. It’s very comfortable and spongy when I’m gardening barefoot. The birds will even plant seeds in pots with left over soil if there’s no mulch. It was nice this year however because a most beautiful small variety of sunflowers 🌻 came up. From central CA coast 🏖️ take care.
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
A good way to think of it is an open field versus a forest floor. The open field usually has poor soil and can't grow much but grass, weeds and anthills. Enter the forest where the soil is protected by tree canopies and mulch from the constantly falling leaves and you have rich, thriving soil that can grow anything. The sun gives life, but it also sterilizes. Having your garden soil unprotected is very harmful. Keeping it protected under a mulch layer and tarp makes it healthy like a forest instead of sickly like an open field.
@emgeespeaks83979 ай бұрын
Great informative video
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
@AnyeForti9 ай бұрын
Plants don't use nutrients from compost. They use nutrients released by micro-organisms that feed on your compost. Applying compost a few months before planting gets this ecological system 'Fungi, Worms etc' established before your plants come. for best results, compost application should be continuous, not a one time affair. long periods without compost will plummet your soil microbes which will hunt you. Your worms will migrate to a more generous neighbor who constantly feeds their soil.
@roberttillotson68619 ай бұрын
I question your overwinter logic on compost in beds. Reason, applying nutrients on bed, then add compost, then shredded leaves on top thus allows winter to slowly breakdown for spring activity. Having compost applied in spring for us in 7a means it is a mulch, not actively contributing to the soil life in time to help plants for growth. Per practice, my beds are primed for gardening come late spring by setting up in fall. If I do not plan to use shredded leaves on compost in beds, then I would use tarp on beds after compost application. As for nutrients in fall, it does leach down to a degree, but using azomite, bone meal, and kelp, it takes those winter months to be readily available come spring for roots to go deep. I also apply small amount come spring in holes where I will have staggered readiness. This again is for us in colder zones then yours. I believe you need to be in zone where ground gets cold enough to slow this activity you are against.
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
I think the confusion is surrounding the word "compost." Finished compost implies the nutrients are immediately bioavailable. It's already broken down, meaning you don't need to wait for it to contribute to plant growth. When you apply finished compost to plants, it begins working immediately. What you're describing is raw organic matter that is not fully composted and bioavailable yet. In this video, I tell you to apply organic matter that will take a long time to break down now, but save your money on finished compost. "Finished" compost is ready to go now, and applying it to bare soil with nothing growing is a waste of money, since rain is just going to wash those nutrients away over the next 3-4 months.
@DuongGarden9 ай бұрын
it looks amazing
@_evilqueen9 ай бұрын
Today i put down fertilizer and worm poop and covered everything with shredded leaves. Before i covered with the leaves i also used an auger attachment on my drill to make 1 ft holes every 3 ft or so and dumped some of the organic fertilizer down there. Sounds life i should've saved the fertilizer for the spring.
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
Can you plant anything in it now? Now is a good time for most to plant garlic. Other good options may be leeks, kale, carrots, radishes, and lots of cold hardy greens.
@_evilqueen9 ай бұрын
@@TheMillennialGardener zone 7. I know garlic is possible, never tried the others but maybe I'll do that. One is the things I love most about gardening is trying new things. Thanks for the suggestion. I learn a lot from you and this channel.
@ngohung499 ай бұрын
You are having a nice buddy 🐕
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
Dale is a good boy 🐶
@johnfrancis69409 ай бұрын
another garden question: What type of weed barrier do you use, and how often do you need to replace it? We are going to be digging up some Jerusalem Artichokes that we missed last year, clearing out the weeds and laying down some weed fabric this weekend.
@martinmurphy96799 ай бұрын
Good info. I'm in Cyprus, Europe. I guess we are equivalent to US Zone 10. We may get one night of frost every three or four years. Regarding getting the soil amended for the Spring, I have a mango seedling in a pot at the moment and I want to plant it in ground in the Spring. My problem is that I have alkaline soil around 7.8ph. I'm wondering what the best way is to acidify the soil ready for the mango. I have eight citrus trees, lemon, different oranges, mandarin and pomelo.I also have a tree that I grew from a lemon seed that has two fruits on it for the first time but they're definitely not lemons! They look like big warty oranges. Can't wait to try them. Do you think I can bury the peels from these fruits in the planting area and lower the ph that way? I do have some sulfur but I have tons of citrus fruits! I went out and bought a Persimmon after watching your in depth video so thanks very much for that.
@chinfuzzchet36169 ай бұрын
I got ahold of 2 dozen old pumpkins from a neighbor and they are already going in for the winter. 7b
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
For storage? Or compost? Don’t bury those seeds unless you want 100 hybrid pumpkins 😆
@chinfuzzchet36169 ай бұрын
@@TheMillennialGardener I am burying them in my beds with about 99% of the seeds removed.
@johnfrancis69409 ай бұрын
gonna need that crustless pumpkin pie recipe!!
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
Type "Eagle Brand Pumpkin Pie Recipe" into Google. Do exactly that, but don't pour it into a crust. Pour it into a greased non-stick 8x8 baking pan instead, or a 9 inch round pan that you're confident you can get the slices out without it sticking or scratching the bottom.
@johnfrancis69409 ай бұрын
Awesome, thanks!@@TheMillennialGardener
@margaretmarshall36459 ай бұрын
I grow more fruit trees than anything else (SoCal now upgraded to 9A). For evergreens like citrus, I went ahead and removed the wood chip mulch, added organic fertilizer, worm castings and compost, and replaced the mulch. What I’m not sure of is should I do the same for my deciduous fruit trees to get them ready to pop when spring comes, or should I just wait until spring?
@jennybaez-cepeda49199 ай бұрын
What’s your opinion about using wood chips as a mulch and your vegetable raised bed?
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
I'm iffy on it, and I don't do it personally. The reason why is because the large chunks of wood makes it very hard to sow your garden. You have to rake them out of the way every time you want to plant something, which doesn't work well in raised beds. For that reason, I only use fine mulches. Finely shredded hardwood bark is my favorite. Old, partially decomposing wheat straw is also good.
@FosterFarmsOk9 ай бұрын
Every fall I gather up all the fallen leaves with my mower and put a thick layer over the vegetable garden. The worms break them down by springtime. I will add fertilizer for corn and other heavy feeders but that's pretty much all I do to mine.
@maikogardner93779 ай бұрын
❤Dale approved the yummies!!🥧🐕👍
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
He complained about the portion size. He says they need to be bigger.
@diananazaroff52669 ай бұрын
How about a recipe for the Dale pumpkin treat? I'm always looking for a healthy treat for my dogs.
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
It was basically just canned pumpkin purée, eggs and cinnamon. Spoon it into a muffin tray, bake, let cool, pop out. I can’t really tell you how much to put in. I don’t use recipes. Usually pumpkin pies call for 2 large eggs for a 14oz can of purée. The consistency should be like pumpkin pie filling, and you bake at 350°F til a toothpick comes out cleanish. They bake quickly. Maybe 10-15 mins?
@diananazaroff52669 ай бұрын
Thank you!@@TheMillennialGardener
@msthing1209 ай бұрын
Ok, great advise BUT, and you may be interested in this in particular, what if you live in an area where you can pretty much grow all year. I live in...north central Florida. It's December and I'm still growing tomatoes in my raised bed. They are coming to an end now but I planted lettuce, onions, kale, broccoli, spinach and other cold weather veggies in my bed. My question is, since my bed really isn't resting, maybe about 6 weeks in January and Feb, how do I handle this? Should I just treat it like a giant pot?
@donnaangela1919 ай бұрын
What about adding bagged chicken manure under a mulch layer this time of year. Southern oregon zone 8b?
@kimberlyomeara54509 ай бұрын
Last yr I did a strawbale garden. For Christmas I got a galvanized raised bed. I would like to fill it with the old straw. Should I get some regular soil to put with it? I also have a bag of chicken manure. Would it be ok to mix that in too.
@kevina10849 ай бұрын
I always cover my soil. This year I was considering intentionally sterilizing my dads garden because he has the invasive Asian jumping worms that turn the top layer of soil into crumble. I was wondering if you ever considered this for killing off other invasive pests (say you had a bad whitefly infestation in a specific bed). Obviously I don’t want it to wash away, but I was thinking what if I just put clear plastic over bare soil for a few months, could I cook the top inch or so enough to kill the pests without using chemicals. I know many people like to say never ever but some problems are easier to fix than others.
@joannc1479 ай бұрын
That is an excellent question! I admire your approach. Do you have a local Extension Office where you can get advice on how to eliminate those horrid worms? I bet chickens would be one effective way to eliminate some jumping worms (don’t know of any chicken-rental agencies tho). Obviously, adding organic matter would only help those worms to thrive. If you solarize, I wonder if black cover would gather more heat and therefore be effective? I also wonder if solarized garden beds might send the worms out into surrounded land while not eliminating the culprits. Sincere best wishes on your struggle! 👍🏻
@chrisrichardson46479 ай бұрын
i have an old plastic garbage can i use to make compost. should i keep throwing kitchen scraps in through the winter? i live in nyc and the winters are brutal. i dont know if it will break down over the winter and when the spring comes, there will be just a pile of leftover scraps. thank you
@myurbangarden76959 ай бұрын
Now is when I cover my beds with crushed leaves and any unfinished compost.
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
If you don't plan on using them for awhile, that's a great idea.
@otrotland53779 ай бұрын
have you considered making liquid compost and adding that to the soil?
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
No. It’ll just wash out from all the winter rain. Water soluble nutrients are valuable and expensive. Pouring them into empty soil is a waste in my opinion.
@joannc1479 ай бұрын
@@TheMillennialGardener Brilliant advice!
@NathanRittenhouse-i7d9 ай бұрын
Is it ok to put mushroom compost in my high tunnel now I’m in zone 7b
@joycebovee58189 ай бұрын
What zone were you in before the hardiness zone update?
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
8a, but it doesn't matter. The weather hasn't changed, so no changes should be made based on these zone changes.
@joycebovee58189 ай бұрын
@@TheMillennialGardener thank you, I appreciate that!
@beautifulyou74189 ай бұрын
“It’s a 10/10, Daddy!” Said Dale
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
He definitely wanted more 😆
@sparkysoutdoors62409 ай бұрын
I still can’t wrap my head around the alfalfa pellet trick…seems like a waste. Better off feeding it to chickens or rabbits and saving their manure while getting some meat and or eggs in the process. We are trying to produce food efficiently correct?
@joannc1479 ай бұрын
Aha! I’m delighted to read that someone else had the same thought I had. Why spend money on alfalfa pellets? 🤣 Of course, I DO buy the pellets for my rabbits 🐇🐇🐇. Lots of ready bunny poo fertilizer here! Meat rabbits 👍🏻
@ISpinTires3159 ай бұрын
6:46 the sun. if you stare into it, it will hurt😂
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
Imagine being a plant, staring into it all day ☀️
@donnaallred70689 ай бұрын
We have extra weed barrier fabric. Do you think this would be an effective mulch/barrier if we used it as a tarp on the raised beds?
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
Yes. Weed barrier is permeable, so the water will pass through, which isn't a bad thing. I think it would make an excellent tarp for your beds.
@donnaallred70689 ай бұрын
Thank you!
@scottroberts54929 ай бұрын
Whats you thoughts on when to add chicken poo?
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
I discuss this at 6:57
@tsmcbride069 ай бұрын
Cooking some with sawdust now. Cooling outside in central Florida but compost will be ready in 3 months.
@scottroberts54929 ай бұрын
Thanks @@TheMillennialGardener wasn't sure if you were taking just Horse or cow.
@MikeV6079 ай бұрын
Compost is not plant fertilizer....it feeds the soil food web biology and that's what feeds the plants. As such, it can be applied anytime, including in the fall. The biology doesn't wash away! 🙂
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
Finished compost does contain a fertilizer component. For example, if you buy a bag of Black Kow, it specifically comes with a guranteed analysis NPK ratio of 0.5-0.5-0.5. While compost is not fertilizer, finished compost does contain some readily available nutrition. If you apply finished compost in the fall, don't expect that NPK to be there in spring.
@MikeV6079 ай бұрын
If you research several market farmers famous for no dig / no till (like Charles Dowding, Richard Perkins, Jesse Frost, Coner Crickmore) you might form a slightly different opinion. 🙂
Can you also top off the weed barrier with mulch or wood chips? @themillennialgardener
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
Do you mean the weed barrier I have in the walking paths of my raised bed garden? If so, yes, that can be topped off. If you're going to place weed barrier on top of your garden soil as a tarp to protect it, you wouldn't want to add mulch on top.
@myhealingharvest9 ай бұрын
@TheMillennialGardener ok so it's not recommended topping off the weed barrier to stop weeds.
@barco5819 ай бұрын
We are big fans of planting Winter Rye in late October. Winter Rye breaks down very quickly when tilled in the spring.
@justinsane71289 ай бұрын
Im a Ruth Stouter.... I added hay , leaves 😊and chicken litter in Co. The chickens are my tillers.
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
I'm sure that works out quite well.
@wecanfightwef9 ай бұрын
what about burying fish.
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
You can, but you need to make sure your garden is fenced in very well so nothing can dig it up.
@lolitavega81562 ай бұрын
I live in zone 7B/8a. Heavy clay soil. Pls advise how to make food forest/permaculture and amend step by step in heavy clay soil. have massive attacked Japanese beetles, they killed my grapes, roses, and others fruit tree. Thx you
@mariap.8949 ай бұрын
Looking for Dale's review on Google😂😂😂😂😂❤🥰😍🐕🐕🐶
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
It got 4 drips and a drool.
@mariap.8949 ай бұрын
@@TheMillennialGardener 😂😂😂😂👍🐕💕
@ashb.c45099 ай бұрын
Buried my kitchen scraps just today, it wont decompose till late march here in northern indiana
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
I bet leafy greens will be gone in a month, even now, if you bury them 8-12 inches deep.
@teresanoce32342 ай бұрын
Could you please help me by tell me ,why my high bed is know the soil is rude only on the soil ?? Please I don’t know what to do ? I was thinking to just take it all out .
@Crashbangable9 ай бұрын
I’m surprised you don’t do cover crops living that far south.
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
I grow in raised beds, which don't get tilled. Cover crops are more for earth beds that you would then till under.
@margaretmarshall36459 ай бұрын
For cover crocs, you’d have to go the whole way south to Florida…😂
@Crashbangable9 ай бұрын
@@margaretmarshall3645 plenty of people are having success with things like Crimson clover far to the north. And there are ways to terminate without tilling.
@tyroneandrews9 ай бұрын
Tyrone watching the garden 😄
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
Thank you!
@johnsonrobbins9 ай бұрын
Super helpful thanks! Good time to mulch up all of the fallen leaves and work them in? Will they break down in the next 3 months?
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
Dried brown leaves are rich in carbon, so they may take a long time to break down. Especially if you’re in a cold climate with freezing winters. What you can do is work kitchen scraps and coffee grounds into your soil, then cover them in chopped up leaves. If you want to work the leaves in, I would run them through a mower and catch them in a bag so they’re well mulched.
@mofomoco9 ай бұрын
1 of my hibiscus just flowered. In December. In Arizona. Crazy
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
If they’re tropical hibiscus, they don’t understand winter 😆
@OakCity77979 ай бұрын
Great video. Valuable info. Question(s)-I garden in containers. What are your thoughts on covering the container soil with burlap potato/coffee bags. Also what about using black plastic to cover my containers?
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
Tarping your containers during the off-season is a good idea. They wash out terribly. I recommend you check out my video on renewing container gardens here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXfQo6KFfpKfaqMsi=VaIxZUL1y4VLHBVG
@mr.lourod61759 ай бұрын
Thank You for the great advice .. as always, good video!!
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed it.
@pilsplease75619 ай бұрын
As much as I garden organically this is the time of the year where I use chemical fertilizers with my onions and garlic because its cold enough that organic fertilizers dont really work well, I add some compost this time of year though but it doesnt really benefit what im growing. I still have tons of crops in the ground because I can grow 12 months out of the year, I dont get freezing temps but organic fertilizer does not like temps in the 30's or 40's here
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
I recently made a video where I express this same exact thing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGfam4ihpsufrLMsi=UfRMWNWX8Iew--ab Water soluble fertilizers are more effective in cold soil, because the microbiology will be too slow/dormant to efficiently process nutrients. I like mixing fish fertilizer with diluted strength Jack's 20-20-20 for these occasions. It isn't organic, but it is completely fine to use twice a month. There's no downside.
@ابوحمزه-و8ر3 ай бұрын
Great job 👏
@ExplodingPsyche9 ай бұрын
I covered my beds with unfinished compost in the hopes it might break down over the winter. If not, I can remove it in the spring. I'm not sure if I should cover it with leaves, or let it sit exposed. Any ideas?
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
I would recommend you cover it with leaves or a tarp. That will actually help break it down more quickly. The leaves/tarp will protect it from sunlight and keep it moist, which will encourage the growth of more beneficial bacteria and fungi to break it down. Leaving it exposed to the weather will actually make it dry out and the sun will prevent the growth of microbes, slowing down the process. Always cover your compost if possible.
@ExplodingPsyche9 ай бұрын
@@TheMillennialGardener Thank you for the reply. I'll do that.
@kimg57849 ай бұрын
Thank you
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
You’re welcome!
@joannc1479 ай бұрын
Respecting the soil biome - LOVE THAT! Seriously thought I spoiled my own dog…..ha, not compared to Dale! (Great Xmas hoodie design, btw! ❤)
@kellysmoot36766 ай бұрын
Can I cover it with cardboard? For the winter, I'm zone 5b.
@TheMillennialGardener6 ай бұрын
Sure. But keep in mind the cardboard won't break down on top of the soil, especially in winter. It would basically be a thick paper tarp.
@kellysmoot36766 ай бұрын
Yes, I'd remove it in the spring for planting. Love your videos and thanks for a quick reply, much appreciated.
@josephh.84339 ай бұрын
What are your thoughts on adding phosphorus and potassium organic fertilizers to fruit trees in December? Zone 7A
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
If they are evergreen and grow year round, yes. If they are deciduous, no. I don't fertilize trees that are entering dormancy. I would wait until sometime in February when you're 30-45 days from bud break and sap flow is beginning to return.
@georgelowellohhdgg63nnd969 ай бұрын
It looks like your beds have a rubble of fine pine bark mulch. Does that not change the ph? Thanks in advance.
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
I use mostly shredded hardwood bark mulch. I don't use pine bark in my beds. It's just leftover chunks of wood that haven't fully decomposed. If you were to use pine bark mulch, I doubt it would matter. Almost all annual vegetables prefer soil pH that is acidic, anyway. Things like tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, cucurbits, etc. like pH's in the 6's.
@diehardfpv41669 ай бұрын
I love your videos man! Do you mess with growing microgreens? Im in so-cal and grow what I can in my small backyard and greenhouse. I've been absolutely loving growing microgreens as they only take a week. What are your thoughts on them?
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
Thanks! I don't grow micro-greens, technically. I do grow arugula and leaf lettuces. I think if I were to harvest them small enough, they may fit into that category, but I don't. I believe micro-greens are often grown indoors and in greenhouses. I only grow outdoors, so I need things that are pretty hardy.
@laddieokelley60959 ай бұрын
In my area ranchers feed rounds of hay and periodically move feeding stations. What's left are a mixture of manure and trampled hay decomposing on the ground. I normally apply it lightly to raised beds in spring and work it in. Is that the correct time? Any problems?
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
This is not something I have the capability of doing living in a neighborhood, so I can't tell you exactly how long something like that is going to take to break down. It also can vary widely depending on climate - it's going to take longer in December in Iowa than in Florida to break down. I would imagine if that's the way you refresh soil, you'd probably want to give it 3-4 months, so now is probably a good time for a March planting, if I had to guess. You may be able to speed up the process by covering the area with a silage tarp after the manure and hay is placed.
@elevbaba9 ай бұрын
Dale looks like a really sweet dog.
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
He is a wonderful boy.
@barbarahillin65999 ай бұрын
Great information! What do you think about putting down mulch then covering with cardboard?
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
I would imagine the cardboard would have to be removed come spring. Cardboard doesn't break down well on top of soil. It has to be buried to break down efficiently. I would use a tarp, personally.
@barbarahillin65999 ай бұрын
Thank you! I will use a tarp instead:
@MichaelJosephJr9349 ай бұрын
Great video once again! My compost is loaded with earwigs and pill bugs. When I put it on my beds in the spring it's a rough go. They munch everything. This time I put it down on the beds in the fall when I closed the beds. I'm betting the problem is my compost is still too loaded with goods to keep the pests present. Regardless I thought I'd share my issue.
@rozsmith68509 ай бұрын
I wondered about that, too.
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
It sounds like your compost isn't finished, and that is the problem. If the compost is finished, those bugs should be gone. That, to me, is an indicator your compost is still pretty raw. If that's the case, it's ok to apply it much earlier, but I still think it's a good idea to tarp the beds after application.
@sircorkysriley49049 ай бұрын
how do you get organic maple syrup???????????????
@TheMillennialGardener9 ай бұрын
It was either at Aldi or Lidl. I don't remember. But it is the best maple syrup I've ever had. I don't like brown liquor, but that bourbon barrel maple syrup has the best flavor of any I've ever had.