Beet-sie Boys and soil prep for next year

Now it's time to talk about soil prep. The ideal soil pH is 6.5. Most vegetables prefer the soil a bit on the acidic side and 6.5 makes most of them pretty happy. In our alkaline soil, you need to add sulfur to accomplish this. Add in some good organic matter (compost, manure), some 16-16-8 fertilizer and your plants will treat you well.

This well.

I've already gotten all the chili peppers I need for the season. Several batches of fresh and canned salsa. I froze 4 bags of chopped chili peppers to use through the winter and spring. Today with the frost warning I picked the remaining peppers. The above box is from just THREE of the plants. Yes, AFTER I've already been harvesting from them all season.

My son was challenged by his science teacher last spring to grow giant beets. He brought them home, planted them in my wonderfully prepared soil (it was a sacrifice to donate the space) and then passively watched all summer while they became monstrous. One of the plants had a runt seedling off to the side that he decided to give a chance.

Turns out that little runt broke the record. It grew to 12.8 pounds. Previous record was 11.2 pounds.

The other one weighed in at 15.2.

He also planted a few rare tomato varieties. So I think he's hooked on gardening. Proud mom!

Do you see that tomato tower behind him? Those Orange Wellingtons grew to about 8 feet. 

So, moral of the story: give your plants the right environment and they will thrive with very little effort on your part.

Here is the fertilizer recipe that you can give your soil (per 180 square feet):

3 cups 16-16-8 fertilizer

1 cup ironite

Also add sulfur. The first year you treat your garden with sulfur you should add 8 cups per 180 square feet. The second year add 4 cups sulfur, and each year after that add just 2 cups. Till this into the soil after you clear the garden for the year. It will be ready and waiting for you next spring.

In fact, I recommend you sow onion, spinach, and lettuce seeds into it right now. They'll come up as soon as conditions are right in the spring. They know what to do. You won't have to do a thing!