Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before

Things are falling from the sky.

Water, old leaves, and destruction causing winds are active in the wilds. For the most part our gardens are solemn nearly serene places, protected from the harsh winds and falling debris from larger dying vegetation.

Cutting back of our plants simulates these damages. Plants are accustomed to this and I dare say, puts the plant into a mode to be ready for regrowth when the time is right.

However, the part that may be missing from your container garden is the amount of concentrated debris that should be falling.

Time to Mulch

Make sure to include topping off with mulch when you winterize your plants. Below is a photo of a successful tomato plant.


The photo shows the rootball and soil that just came out of the 5 gallon bucket. This bucket is the inside bucket of a 2 bucket reservoir system that I grow most of my chili and tomato in. When it was in the bucket it was topped by 6" of mulch that was topped up every so often thru the growing season. The mulch I generally use is the wood chips that go on sale at home depot every year. When they get to the 1 dollar range I buy enough so that when winter comes (now) I can top off my containers.



This photo shows a Black Krim Tomato that was grown from seed. The fruit here are part of the last harvest of 2016 (which is today) When the plant was transferred to the 2 buckets (last spring) the plant was about 8 inches tall. It was transplanted flush with the soil in the bucket and then 5 to 6 inches of mulch was put around it to top off the bucket.



Lastly this is Fatali and Serrano after they have been winterized. In the pan is the total of the harvest for today. The addition of the mulch on top will create heat for the plant by creating a new home for microbial life, protect your plants roots from extremes and perhaps even fix your garden itch.

No time like the present, Go Mulch!