It is that time of year once again to prepare the raised beds and all the gardens for the winter.
If you are wondering what all the light-colored stuff is on top of the dirt, it is torn-up egg cartons. I save all of the cardboard paper holders from paper towels, bathroom tissue, and egg cartons all year round. As I feel like it, I will shred them by hand and keep them in a large bag until I spread them all on top of my beds.
Also, I save all of my eggshells throughout the year. I wash, dry them, and save them in bags. When I have a substantial amount saved up I put them through my Vitamix blender and turn them into a crushed powder. I will keep them in a large mason jar until the fall when I sprinkle them on top of my gardens. This gives the eggshells time to break down and add a nice amount of Calcium into the beds.
I save enough over the winter months to be able to put some into each hole when planting my tomatoes and peppers. The plants really like the extra bit I give them.
My husband has been making a few trips to a horse farm to get some aged manure. We have added it to every garden except the raspberry patch. They have to be cut back and thinned out before he gets a load for them.
The farmer is so nice to let us come every year and we are able to take as much as we need. I think the farmer loves chatting with my husband every time he is there. I have to say it is getting a little harder for him to do it, but, he says he will continue to get it for me as long as he is able.
I started putting the manure on in the fall a few years ago as I found it easier on the plants. It gives the beds a chance to continue breaking down and adding nutrients over the winter months. We still have leaves that we will mulch from our trees once they begin to fall in November. Those will also be added on top and then I will gently mix all the layers together.
The butterfly garden has been cleaned out and the manure is down. It is so nice to be able to have the soil topdressed and prepared for the spring season. It always amazes me to see how wonderful the plants respond to everything we add to the soil. We do our best to grow everything as organic as possible.
Enclosing the Porch
The weather is taking a turn now so it is time to enclose the porch with 6mm transparent plastic.
We do this every year to keep the snow off the porch and it helps to keep the cold north wind from hitting the sliding glass door to our kitchen. We have found that it is much warmer in the kitchen since we started doing this years ago.
The task is completed and I am sitting on the porch with a hot cup of cocoa. It is only 55°F and I am comfy and cozy without the wind blowing in on me. Sometimes in the winter on a nice sunny day, I will come out and sit on the porch to enjoy some fresh air. It is so nice to be able to do that during the long winter months.
Well, another day is here and I have to work on the raspberry patch today. It is the last bed that needs attending to and it is going to be a nice sunny day. Regards to everyone and enjoy your weekend.
Until next time, this is Sunscape
Sun. Scape. Ing Your Day
Speaking of crushing eggshells, I used our blender for that purpose. However, because I processed a large quantity of dried eggshells, it resulted in damage to the blender, with noticeable scratches on the glass. hahaha... ^_^
Oh no! Well, that is not good for the blade. I would hate to have to replace my blender, yikes. I can see though why that could happen with the sharp edges of the shells.
Yes, haha! I cherish my old blender because it was a wedding gift, and it has been with us for 15 years, despite having only minor damage. ^_^
I love this one, it look very fertile, is this the horse manure?
Yes it is, we get it from a stable nearby.
Wow! I love how you diligently look after the soil and beds for your plants. No wonder your flowers and vegetables just bursted with joy and energy. That’s a good idea having a plastic cover for the porch. The plastic sheet looks thick and heavy for the winter weather.
Hi kaminchan, I do my best to take good care of the soil. It is the lifeblood of my plants. If I did not, I doubt they would do well after a few years of using the same soil. The porch plastic is very thick and it keeps that north wind from the lake off my doors. I can enjoy it out there on sunny days with a jacket and stay comfy.
Gosh! I admire your dedication and expertise on this.
These are some amazing tips and practices here, and the reason behind everything.
I like what you do with the egg shells and I'll do some research to see in what other ways they can be purposeful:)
Thanks, Milly, I also have a compost pile where I put all the greens and scraps from the kitchen to break down. Everything helps to rejuvenate the soil and I am very diligent in doing my best for the plants. The eggshells are a nice source of calcium so the plants like it a lot.
I always find these tips exciting, and if I ever get back into gardening, I'll probably check your posts for useful tips:))
Friend, your garden is well taken care of with what they say about cardboard and egg shells, manure is used a lot in the countryside, it is a very good vitamin for the soil.
I do my best to put nutrients back into the soil all season long too. In the fall, I add everything else to break down over the winter months. The plants love it all.
Everything is a process, but it makes our plants grow and bear fruit.
Brilliant idea to prepare land before the winter allowing time for everything to rest, earthworms will move the soil around breaking it down for the next season.
Temporarily closing porch to save on cold hitting the door, also making it easier to enter and exit the home with muddy boots during the winter month I would imagine.
!LOLZ
!LADY
View or trade
LOHtokens.@joanstewart, you successfully shared 0.1000 LOH with @sunscape and you earned 0.1000 LOH as tips. (3/12 calls)
Use !LADY command to share LOH! More details available in this post.
lolztoken.com
He lost interest.
Credit: lofone
@sunscape, I sent you an $LOLZ on behalf of joanstewart
(4/8)
NEW: Join LOLZ's Daily Earn and Burn Contest and win $LOLZ
Absolutely, the worms really get it done before planting and yes the snow stays outside instead of the kitchen. :-)
Always great when plan comes together both for the outdoors and indoors.
Hello @sunscape it's good that you are already fertilizing the land for the next sowing. Friend, why do you use paper and cardboard on the field?
I use the cardboard shredded to add bulk back into the soil. It is all made from wood so it makes sense to me to add it back in. The worms chew it up nicely and it is just something I have always done.
Ah ok, your practice makes sense, it's true that many trees are cut down to make paper. Good idea @sunscape 👍🏽
You and hubby certainly are organized at "winterizing" your outdoor flower beds. From your post sounds as if you have the process down path. Major points for recycling and using paper products as well as eggshells and horse manure in your flowerbeds. My father was resourceful with these types of hacks. He also would crumble styrofoam and add it to the compost pile; however, the types of styrofoam he used is no longer being used nowadays.
I love how you used 6mm transparent plastic to create a sun porch area. The thick plastic definitely will help ward out the bitter cold. My mom does this to some of the larger windows on the vacant second floor of her ancient brick home that was built back in 1896 (has original woodwork and windows).
Happy Friday! @sunscape☀️🌻🍁
!LADY
!PIZZA
!LOL
View or trade
LOHtokens.@ninahaskin, you successfully shared 0.1000 LOH with @sunscape and you earned 0.1000 LOH as tips. (4/9 calls)
Use !LADY command to share LOH! More details available in this post.
We do our best Nina to prepare the beds for the next season. I like the idea that your father used styrofoam which would help to loosen up heavy soil for better areation. I still have to add mulched leaves and some perlite to the raised beds. That will be next week along with some ash from the firepit. There is always more to be done it just takes a little bit of time to get to it all. I spent yesterday cutting back the raspberry plants and the hydrangea tree.
Your mom is smart to line her windows since I am sure the wind finds its way in through those old windows. It probably helps to keep her heating bill down some too. Have a great weekend!
$PIZZA slices delivered:
@ninahaskin(5/5) tipped @sunscape
Your porch looks so cozy!! enjoy your cold months
Thanks, libra.gardener, the porch is where I spend a lot of time every day. I can stay out there with a jacket when it gets colder and still be comfy cozy.
Wow, I can say that you love gardening. Yeah gardening in me is a steel reliever. I always work in my garden taking care of plants, cleaning, planting, and harvesting fruit and vegetables. I like it much if we have our garden can give us enjoyment❤️
I absolutely agree with you. Gardening brings me such joy and peace of mind when I am working with my plants.
Thank you @sunscape is true that gardening is a stress reliever for us.