I wish I had a movie of myself doing this!

[Raven]

Yesterday was time to put the garden to bed. A farmer friend told me to get straw, put newspapers down and cover them with the straw. Then, in the Spring I would have few weeds. So I got the straw and the newspapers and went to work. I didn't bargain on the 30+ mph wind. I think I must have looked like one of the 3 Stooges chasing newspaper around the yard! Got half of it done and quit. Maybe next week!

[sazemisery]

1. I did this today on one bed after work.

I figure I will be done by Christmas at this rate. Hopefully this weekend I will be able to get everything "put to bed" for the winter. I still have okra blooming! My tomatoes are still fruiting! I have acorn squash voluntarily growing in the pasture and picked 3 large ones yesterday! I have tomato vines popping up everywhere on my 5 acres! The wild onions have put on green tops!

I hope your straw didn't have all the seed heads mine did. I guess I can turn the oats under in the spring for green manure.

[hedgehog]

2. Try soaking the newspaper and watering the straw.

This works great for me except when the chickens decide to scratch away the straw to check for bugs!

[Raven]

3. I finally did that and it worked like a charm!

No chickens here but a huge crowd of wild turkeys. I must say, the garden looks great. Thanks for the advice.