Preparing Your Vegetable Garden for Winter

After harvest, invest in next year's soil now.

Add Organic Matter

Till in 3+ cubic yards of shredded leaves per 100 sq ft. Alternatives: compost, peat moss, aged manure, dried grass clippings. All break down over winter into rich humus.

Crop Rotation

Move nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant) at least 10 feet from this year's spot. Since they share diseases, rotation helps—but heavy organic amendments can offset same-spot planting if space is limited.

Come spring, your beds will be fertile, friable, and ready to plant.