Tasks to Consider Over the Next Few Months

Good afternoon, Growers!

Now that things have quieted down around the pumpkin patch, I wanted to throw out some ideas that might help you with your 2007 growing season.

• Consider building up your soil quality by planting a green manure. Alfalfa, soybeans, and clover can be used to improve nitrogen content and will provide organic matter when turned under in the early spring.
• Review any notes or jottings about this year's pumpkin growing activities. If you don't have any written records, make a commitment to keep notes in 2007. You'll be grateful in 2008!
• January-February is a great time to spread massive quantities of animal manure(s) (steer, cow, horse, donkey) to your growing area. By mid-May to late-May, it will have broken down and incorporated itself into your soil without you having to dig it in. Let the winter rains and natural decomposition to the hard work for you.
• Get a soil test for your garden. I tested my soil this year and I am very glad I did. I learned that a treatment of gypsum would benefit my patch, and it seemed to work well.
• In early December, go to Howard Dill's website to see what thoroughbred "Premium Seeds" you may want to try in 2007. Some of the seeds Howard sells are in great demand, and have lineages that would rival the Hapsburgs, so the sooner you mail your order, the better. Go to www.howarddill.com for more information.

Have a great afternoon!

Stuart