No, not because football is ready to start! No, not because the temps are about to change(well possibly on that one). But, because it’s time to rip out all the summer garden plants(leave the good ones that are still producing), amend the soil, add organic fertilizer and organic matter, and implement your fall food garden plan!

This is where most people stop the gardening, letting the summer ‘flashy’ plants linger on into October and wait til next year. Not me! Fall is the best time to grow the most nutritious food plants…period! I did extensive research a couple of years ago comparing many agricultural tables for different food plants and it was interesting to find out what were the most ‘nutritious’ food plants. Let’s just say #1 is Bok Choy! The reason I’m jacked about fall crops is that the leafy green ones are spring(not summer) and fall selections. I grow bok choy, spinach, loose leaf lettuces, broccoli, brussells sprouts, collards, and some more. BUT…you have to plant them now and not wait for October if you want to EAT. Refer to ‘Planting Times For N.C. Piedmont’ to get your extensive list and criteria.

Now that you realize that I am also ‘Farmer Duane’, I want you to understand 2 principles so that you can maximize your food growing. 1) Feed the soil and let the soil feed the plant 2) Operate by The Law of Return. Feel free to contact me for a full explanation of both principles, but following is what I do to grow my own food year round.

The vegetable Planting Guide for the N.C. Piedmont says now is the time to plant your seeds or transplants and typical planting times range from Aug 1- Sept 1, July 15 – Aug 15, and Aug 15- Sept 15. So, what do you do?

I will be ripping out all plants from my garden this weekend except for producing cucumber vines, tomato plants, and pepper plants. I’ll hard rake the bare areas moving around the existing soil. I’ll then add seaweed meal(for minerals), cottonseed meal as organic fertilizer(A by-product of the cotton industry, Cottonseed Meal is an excellent source of slow-release nitrogen, phosphorus, potash, and numerous trace elements), then add in on site compost(6 months of yard/household waste) and rake in all components. Let sit for a week or so and make sure it gets some water to activate everything. I will then transplant vegetables and add a mulch layer of leaf mold(leaves composted on my property). Job done! Nutrition awaits!

So what I have done in the past and will continue to do, is 1) feed my soil so my soil can feed my plants and 2) Respect The Law of Return by returning to the soil what I take out of it through; composting, organic fertilizers, organic matter, and organic mineral sources.

For the analytical ones, read ‘An Agricultural Testament’ by Sir Albert Howard 1943

* Duane Seybold, IFTA-CPT is available to show you how to grow Powercharged Nutritious foods on your property. I provide full services from planting area size and location to construction and completion of, with plants in place with organic mulch, all based on your specifications. FREE on-site consultation! 919.995.4679

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