If you're growing for the first time and don't know where to start, or maybe you've given it a solid try but had hoped for better results, I have a free class designed just for you! I call it the 5 Keys To A Successful Vegetable Garden and its completely free, check it out here: courses.theripetomatofarms.ca/courses/5Keys
I built a new raised bed for strawberries next spring,put down one layer of cardboard then pine shavings,coffee grounds and about two five gallon buckets of cleanings from the chicken coop. I have my large compost bin full and about half way broken down to top of in the spring. Just filled bed with leaves,thinking of adding some worms as an experiment. To see if they break down the leaves this winter. If not no harm done. Thinking the strawberries should love it.
Jeff, I use grass clippings then leaves from mulch mower and cover for winter. My pleasure is reading the comments others write after learning from your videos and thanking you. Bless you for helping others!
I have about 10 mature white pines that shed some of their needles around October each year. It's free pine straw that I can use to protect all the sensitive plants in the garden! This year is one of the thickest needle sheds that I've seen, which might mean we're in for a harsh winter.
@@TheRipeTomatoFarms unfortunately no, but I'm able to cover roughly 30 sqft about 4-6 inches deep, which is enough for most of my needs. Definitely helps the wallet! Love the channel!
Thanks Jeff all the tips are great info and reminders of how important the soil is. My late sister Trish told me about the importance of good soil. It took me many seasons to understand. Your quiz and your videos are full of great info. Keep warm Maggie UK
Impressive content, The Ripe Tomato Farms. Looking forward to seeing your next upload from you. I hit the thumbs up icon on your video. Keep up the fantastic work! Your insights on soil protection strategies are incredibly valuable. How do you recommend selecting cover crops based on specific soil types and climate conditions to maximize their effectiveness?
Yikes, my garlic planted, mulched, most have shoots already, some 4-5". Im in Zone 7A and new to planting garlic. I know, dont worry, but will wait longer in November to plant next year. Correct? Thanks for your sage advice on all things gardening!
I did chop and drop this year (The garden was a jungle! We had a cherry tomato plant grow all the way up into the pear tree above, and send suckers full of tomatoes back down to the ground.). It is my first year giving the method a try. I was planning on digging up the garden and burying whatever doesn't break down over winter, in the spring. Any thoughts on this? I am curious if it will help or hinder the garden. I also have a running experiment going. I had two giant pepper plants form this summer, a cayenne and a poblano. I cut them both down to the second fork off of the main stem, and have them potted and moved indoors. Seeing if I can stretch them over into next year. So far they have produced some green foliage, and even look like they are getting ready to push out more fruits. If they do take during next springs planting, I will probably just use this method to overwinter my favorite pepper plants, instead of growing from seed.
Yes, overwintering peppers can definitely give you larger, more advanced plants for next year. As far as digging up the garden and burying, don't bother. Layer it on top without the tilling. Much better for the soil! 🙂
Hi, thanks for the video. Sorry, if a silly question but still learning. Should I cover the soil while the plants are in the containers? Put them around you veggies?
@ I grew only peppers, squash, onions, strawberries and kale in the summer due to work travel. I really want to grow yellow and orange varieties of watermelon next year. I need to make a plan.
@ I’m in zone 7b/8a southeast, if I could get my broccoli and cabbage seeds to germinate, I would feel better. I’m really behind but I plan to plant some garlic as well.
They used to cover crop or let lie fallow periodically to rejuvenate the soil but nowadays most large scale commercial enterprises generally use chemical and fertilizer to “feed” the soil…….however, it means the nutritional value of our food isn’t what it used to be
If you're growing for the first time and don't know where to start, or maybe you've given it a solid try but had hoped for better results, I have a free class designed just for you! I call it the 5 Keys To A Successful Vegetable Garden and its completely free, check it out here: courses.theripetomatofarms.ca/courses/5Keys
I built a new raised bed for strawberries next spring,put down one layer of cardboard then pine shavings,coffee grounds and about two five gallon buckets of cleanings from the chicken coop. I have my large compost bin full and about half way broken down to top of in the spring. Just filled bed with leaves,thinking of adding some worms as an experiment. To see if they break down the leaves this winter. If not no harm done. Thinking the strawberries should love it.
That sounds perfect John. Worms would definitely speed up the break down and be a good idea. I say add them man! 🙂
@ will do.
Jeff, I use grass clippings then leaves from mulch mower and cover for winter. My pleasure is reading the comments others write after learning from your videos and thanking you. Bless you for helping others!
Nice work during fall garden 🪴
@@GardenIdeas01 thanks!
Excellent video with lots of reminders on how to let nature work for you! Love it. ❤
I have about 10 mature white pines that shed some of their needles around October each year. It's free pine straw that I can use to protect all the sensitive plants in the garden! This year is one of the thickest needle sheds that I've seen, which might mean we're in for a harsh winter.
@@willwebber6496 right on Will. Will the trees alone provide all the mulch you need?
@@TheRipeTomatoFarms unfortunately no, but I'm able to cover roughly 30 sqft about 4-6 inches deep, which is enough for most of my needs. Definitely helps the wallet! Love the channel!
Thanks Jeff all the tips are great info and reminders of how important the soil is. My late sister Trish told me about the importance of good soil. It took me many seasons to understand. Your quiz and your videos are full of great info. Keep warm Maggie UK
@@Maggie-eq4cd cheers Maggie, enjoy the rest of your Sunday!
What is the little red thin you used to sharpen?
Impressive content, The Ripe Tomato Farms. Looking forward to seeing your next upload from you. I hit the thumbs up icon on your video. Keep up the fantastic work! Your insights on soil protection strategies are incredibly valuable. How do you recommend selecting cover crops based on specific soil types and climate conditions to maximize their effectiveness?
Very professionally done. Thank you
Yikes, my garlic planted, mulched, most have shoots already, some 4-5". Im in Zone 7A and new to planting garlic. I know, dont worry, but will wait longer in November to plant next year. Correct? Thanks for your sage advice on all things gardening!
A very good video.....but a little late for my area.
I'm in the same area as the poster and it's a little late here too! We had our first frost last week. :(
I need to get a little more into cover crops! I want to do some this year
Good points. Xx
I did chop and drop this year (The garden was a jungle! We had a cherry tomato plant grow all the way up into the pear tree above, and send suckers full of tomatoes back down to the ground.). It is my first year giving the method a try. I was planning on digging up the garden and burying whatever doesn't break down over winter, in the spring. Any thoughts on this? I am curious if it will help or hinder the garden.
I also have a running experiment going. I had two giant pepper plants form this summer, a cayenne and a poblano. I cut them both down to the second fork off of the main stem, and have them potted and moved indoors. Seeing if I can stretch them over into next year. So far they have produced some green foliage, and even look like they are getting ready to push out more fruits. If they do take during next springs planting, I will probably just use this method to overwinter my favorite pepper plants, instead of growing from seed.
Yes, overwintering peppers can definitely give you larger, more advanced plants for next year. As far as digging up the garden and burying, don't bother. Layer it on top without the tilling. Much better for the soil! 🙂
@@TheRipeTomatoFarmsthanks for the feedback Jeff. Is much appreciated!
@@ugib8377 best of luck!
Hi, thanks for the video. Sorry, if a silly question but still learning. Should I cover the soil while the plants are in the containers? Put them around you veggies?
@@kin7069 I always mulch around my plants, for sure. I try to eliminate bare soil everywhere.
@@TheRipeTomatoFarmsok, thanks for the reply and infor! I appreciate it.
I have a green stock full of strawberries actually I have 3 just wondering when is the time I would put on the frost cloth
Your Amazon, USA link for the watering can broken
@@itowmyhome797 thanks, I'll check it out!
Would cardboard cut down on air exchange?
I have a raised bed falling apart just like that one in the end of the video.
@@Gkrissy yeah, the wood ones just don't last forever.....
@ very true. I have 3 wood ones and 2 metal ones. Thank you for the video, great job. I still need to mulch 2 more beds.
@Gkrissy what did you end up growing this year? All planned out for 2025?
@ I grew only peppers, squash, onions, strawberries and kale in the summer due to work travel. I really want to grow yellow and orange varieties of watermelon next year. I need to make a plan.
@ I’m in zone 7b/8a southeast, if I could get my broccoli and cabbage seeds to germinate, I would feel better. I’m really behind but I plan to plant some garlic as well.
I still do not get the "cover" thing. LWhat do large farmland do?
They used to cover crop or let lie fallow periodically to rejuvenate the soil but nowadays most large scale commercial enterprises generally use chemical and fertilizer to “feed” the soil…….however, it means the nutritional value of our food isn’t what it used to be