next years crop starts now

[Daniel]

Here at least we are just days away from the first frost date. Typically it does not happen until later in October but can be as early as mid September.
I grew my tobacco in 5 gallon buckets this year. So far I plan to do the same again next year. Soil quality is always important but for me having so little of it makes it even more so.

I dumped all my soil out in a pile and covered it. What I am wondering is what if anything I should ad to that pile to get it ready for next spring.

I also invite all you old timers to share what your fall "putting things to bed" includes.

 

[Chicken]

id use the soil as a compost pile,,,

using that soil, i'd just add vegetable scraps to it, and turn it, often,,,and possiblly put some worm castings in it, { raise earthworms}

all this will only make the soil more rich for when you reclaim it,

 

[FmGrowit]

"Apply lime, P, and K when convenient, preferably soon after harvest. If pH needs adjusting apply lime in the early fall. Apply N at the beginning of field preparation or just ahead of setting. Supplemental N applications after planting may be necessary if leaching or denitrification losses occur."

Basically, add all of your amendments now especially if you use manure. You can always add N throughout the growing season since it does no good to add N before the plants can use it.

Whenever I put anything up for the year, I like to hose off any loose dirt from the tools and either spray them down or dip them in a bleach/water solution. I've never had any problem with any disease other than a little black shank, but prevention is 10x worth the cost of the cure.

 

[deluxestogie]

With my four 5'x12' tobacco beds, as well as the smaller ones, I seed a cover crop while the stalks are still standing with only their upper leaves (late August). From the grocery store, I purchase a few 1-pound bags of dried lentils (they seem to have a high germination rate). About 1/2 bag is broadcast onto the soil of each bed just before a good rain is expected. By late fall, each bed has a loose cover of the small-leafed lentil plants. This overwinters fairly well, and is tilled under as soon as the soil thaws in the early spring.

Since I use bags of composted manure (0.5, 0.5, 0.5), I apply it in late spring, allowing it to be tilled in twice before transplanting the tobacco.

Bob