Preparing Your Garden For Fall

It’s almost time… And you all know what we’re talking about… FALL. Cool, crisp temperatures, changing leaves, pumpkins, pansies, mums, and all things Autumn. And we have a few tips and tricks for you as you prepare your garden for this glorious Autumn season.

1. Clean out any summer vegetables and flowers that will not survive the season. Pull up the nonproductive vegetable plants and flowers that are no longer producing those gorgeous summer blooms and vegetables. This process can be bittersweet, but sometimes it’s necessary to make space and “clean” it for any future plants that are needing fresh new soil.

2. Compost what is not diseased and use for winter or next spring’s garden. You don’t have to throw those beautiful plants away and never see them again. In fact, you're able to put those in a bin and compost them for future use. Compost is GREAT for the soil and if you cover it with mulch, it adds much needed nutrients to your soil.

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3. Even if you are not planting any vegetables or flowers for the fall, it’s very important to prepare your soil for the following year. Add an extra layer of compost and mix it in with the soil with a rake. It’s a great way to loosen your soil and prepare it for your future garden. This process also help to provide your soil with vital nutrients needed for your next crop. Because healthy soil means healthy plants.

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4. Plant a cover crop. Fall cover crops are another great way to put nutrients back into your soil while waiting for the spring and summer months to arrive again. Here is a great article specific to zone 7 on types of cover crops that you could plant in your garden.

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But what should you plant in the Fall?

You can plant basically any cruciferous vegetable: cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, beets, kale, turnips, and so much more! Here are the two ways you can do this:

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From seed.
If you’re starting from seed, it’s usually a bit more time consuming, but is cheaper. And it requires a bit of counting backwards from your frost date, which is usually provided on the back of the seed packet.

From transplant.
This option is usually much easier. You also don’t need to start quite as early, which is great if you haven’t already started on your Fall garden! Plus, let’s be honest, gardening in the fall is much nicer due to the cooler weather and nice breeze.

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WE WANT TO KNOW…

what’s your favorite Fall plant? Let us know in the comments below! You can also share your Autumn gardening adventures with us by using #gardenvalleyfarmersmarket on our Facebook or Instagram! We can’t wait to see!

Thank you so much for joining us here. For more information on what Garden Valley Farmers Market is about, you can visit us here. If you’re wanting to visit with us, come by any of our five North Carolina locations. If you’re wanting to follow along with us, you can do so either on our Facebook, Youtube, or our Instagram. If you’re wanting to earn rewards and be easily connected with us, download our new App. And if you’re wanting to check out our other recipes and blog posts, or are needing more inspiration, follow us on our Pinterest. We’d love to have you join us in our journey of planting better, eating better, and living better.
Much love,
Your Garden Valley Farmers Market Team

7 Foods You Can Throw In Your Garden

It’s almost time for us to start planting in our spring gardens. Along with that, did you know that you can throw certain foods in your garden to help things get a head start? Well, you can, and we’ve put together 7 foods that are beneficial to your garden and compost bins.

1. Banana Peels: Banana peels provide a great source of potassium. Potassium helps your plant distribute water and nutrients, helping your plant grow strong roots. You can use your banana peels by either adding them to your compost pile, brewing them into a tea, or letting them ferment in your garden over time. 

2. Bread and Cereal: Stale bread and cereal can be added to your compost pile or your garden soil to help feed any crawlers that are beneficial to your soil.

3. Egg Shells:  Egg shells make a great natural fertilizer for your garden by providing a great source of Calcium. Calcium is responsible for building the cell walls of the plant, so it’s a vital nutrient for a thriving plant. They also have been known to deter the occasional slug or two. You can also use egg shells for plants that are prone to blossom end rot, as this can be caused by a lack of calcium. 

4. Citrus Peels: Citrus peels provide your soil with Nitrogen, Potassium, and Phosphorus. And to speed up the decomposition process in your garden, you can break apart the peels. Citrus peels will also be a delicious treat that will keep the butterflies and bumblebees coming back to your garden.  

5. Coffee Grounds: Used coffee grounds are very high in acidity, and are great for the acid loving plants like blueberries, hydrangeas, camellias, and azaleas. 

6. Herbs and Spices: Don’t just throw your expired herbs and spices away! They can help to deter pests and help to fight fungus. Try sprinkling expired cayenne pepper around your bulbs and soil to deter any unwanted animals. Or try sprinkling pepper to deter ants. Cinnamon is also a great way to fight fungus in your indoor plants. 

7. Tea: Used tea helps to increase drainage in your soil, retain moisture, encourage earthworms, and increase oxygen levels. Just open up your bags and pour into your soil or compost bin.

Thank you so much for joining us here. For more information on what Garden Valley Farmers Market is about, you can visit us here. If you’re wanting to visit with us, come by any of our five North Carolina locations. If you’re wanting to follow along with us, you can do so either on our Facebook, Youtube, or our Instagram. And if you’re wanting to check out our other recipes and blog posts, or are needing more inspiration, follow us on our Pinterest. We’d love to have you join us in our journey of planting better, eating better, and living better.
Much love,
Your Garden Valley Farmers Market Team