Have a question on how to set up my garden in the fall

[RazzleCat]

Or maybe I should say take it down. I planted veggies this year with very little preparation, as in turned the soil, added some peat moss, and inserted plants. So far so good, have growth, have flowering, even have some zucchini, and peppers on the vine, but I also have a ton of weeds. So my question is how to I prevent weeds next year? I know when I lived near real farmers they would till up all the soil and dump roundup all over to avoid weeds in the spring. I also know I have read something about placing straw/paper all over the soil to lower them in the spring. My garden is small about 12 x 8, turning the soil is easy as I have a tiller (well it belongs to my fiance who never uses it, so it has moved to my home). My soil is almost pure clay, (live in the St. Louis region) hence adding the peat moss. Truly a real beginner here, just adding water as needed (see my irrigation system) and when I have the time going out and hand pulling weeds, but they are popping up faster than I can pull and I have a ton of tap root weeds, and not managing to pull them up all the way, so only stunting their growth. Currently my plan is to wait to the end of the season, turn the soil, add some more peat/manure to enrich it, more peat than manure as my soil is very heavy clay based.
I assume that one of the reason's I have so many weeds is due to lack of preparation in the spring, so what should I plan on doing this fall to lower my weed count, and get my soil "fluffier"?
Thanks for any and all suggestions.

[Raven]

1. Hi. I used newspaper and straw last fall and it worked pretty well

although I did have weeds but nowhere near what I would have had. Someone here suggested that I should have used a thicker layer of newspaper. I may try some of that black plastic gardening stuff...like a tarp...this fall.

[RazzleCat]

2. thanks but still have ?

I said, total beginner, I assume I till the soil, then lay a heavy layer of paper (1/2") or so on top is that correct, if so I need to stop my recycling of all the papers so I will have a large stash of them. Can I also assume that it has to be newspaper, not the glossy fliers that collect up by the ton in my mail box.

[Raven]

4. Sorry to take so long to respond. A half an inch should be fine and

don't use the glossies. Also, be sure to use straw and not hay. Hay will give you weeds! Oh, and don't do this on a windy day as I did or you'll be chasing newspaper all over your yard!

[wildeyed]

3. We have clay here too.

I don't dig beds anymore. This year I laid out a thick layer of newspaper over the grass and weeds, then put a layer of shredded leaves, then compost and topsoil. I mulched heavily with another layer of shredded leaves. So far the veggies I planted are doing great, and very few weeds.

In addition, I am being very disciplined this year about keeping up with the weeding. If you pull the buggers when they are little, life is so much easier. I pull them when they are just sprouting if I see them.

[Kolesar]

5. I sharpened my hoe and just hoe up all around the plants and all of the walkways

I use a "hand cultivator" with three tines on one side and a small hoe on the other to get close to the plants. One month into the garden and the weeds are definitely under control.

If I had clay, I would dump five inches of compost on top in the fall and turn it in. Maybe another few inches in the spring and turn it in again. You could buy a few yards of topsoil and just put it on top.

[bvar22]

6. Have you considered Raised Boxes?

We use them. Far fewer weeds this year, and pulling weeds is easier on the back because the garden level is higher.

Square Foot Gardening is good for weed control....no room for weeds. :)
http://www.squarefootgardening.com/

[bhikkhu]

7. I bury everything under leaves, donated by neighbors

We get snow every year, so it also works to insulate the soil and feed the worms that nourish the soil all winter. I usually cover the garden with about a foot of leaves, which ends up being much less. In spring as soon as the soil can be worked I turn it all over with a shovel and work what is left into the soil.

The area I live in also is heavy clay soil, but years of good treatment have made it very nice to work. I can't say whether this makes for less weeds or not, but they are definitely manageable, and the soil is very good for growing.

[EstimatedProphet]

8. Lots and lots of mulch or straw

When you get plants going in the spring, soncider a 3" layer of mulch surrounding your plants. It will keep the soil from compressing and hold in moisture, in addition to blocking the weeds. Plus, just till it under in the fall and you'll have pre-mulched soil in the spring.

[hippywife]

9. We're going to try to keep right on going

with cold frames and row covers. Hoping to be able to harvest greens, peas, brassicas, and root veggies through the winter.

[RazzleCat]

10. thank you all so much

Unless someone say's no don't right now I plan on purchasing some compost at the end of the season. After I pull out the plants will till in the compost (again thanks for owing a roto tiller sweetie) and lay a heavy pile of papers all over the top. fyi, don't have a compost pile going, and don't have the time right now to start yet another project, currently working on a french drain for my house (think renting a back hoe) and replacing gutters, downspouts and roof.