Saturday, November 3, 2012

The Patch is (Mostly) Tilled and Fall Patch Prep is Done

Today I tilled into the pumpkin patch 2.5 yards of compost, 20 pounds of gypsum, 4 pounds of sulfur, 3 pounds of blood meal, 25 pounds of humic acid, 5 bags of leaves and lawn clippings, 150 pounds of alfalfa pellets, 2 pounds of magnesium and 4 pounds of Organic Richlawn 5-2-1.    The full patch didn't get tilled because I had a belt problem on the tiller with about 40% of the patch left to go so in those areas I just put some compost on top of leaves and will leave it to sit.

After tilling the patch I sowed some Winter Rye, Winter Oats and Hardy Vetch.  Temperatures are forecast to be above freezing for the next 7 days so I hope to get that seed going before it gets cold.  With temperatures in the 60s and low 70s for the next week that shouldn't be a problem.

My plan for next year is a little more organic matter and a fair amount more nitrogen in the patch.  I didn't see the growth in my vines that I would have liked to have seen this last season and after seeing some soil reports and talking with top growers I've decided that additional nitrogen in the soil is a good idea. With all of the organic matter that I've put down I'll need the extra nitrogen to make sure all of that material is broken down by spring.

2 comments:

Jason said...

Sounds like you should be in good shape for next year. Looks like I'll be moving for work before the next growing season - to Arvada of all places! I'll definitely make sure I put some wood under the pumpkin next year so I don't lose a fast grower to another cicada. Do you get any vine borers out there? Trying to figure out if I should bring my traps or not...

Jason said...

Sounds like you should be in good shape for next year. Looks like I'll be moving for work before the next growing season - to Arvada of all places! I'll definitely make sure I put some wood under the pumpkin next year so I don't lose a fast grower to another cicada. Do you get any vine borers out there? Trying to figure out if I should bring my traps or not...