Preparing garden for next spring

If you are a backyard gardener, fall is the best time to prepare your garden for the next spring.

First, harvest veggies and preserve any extra by canning, freezing, drying or storing in a celler according to the variety to provide you with home grown veggies even in the coldest winter.

Then pull all annual crops and flowers when they are done, as well as any weeds, and put them in your compost bin to make organic compost.

Third, work 1-2 inches of organic compost and/or grass clippings into your garden beds to amend the soil. Then put a layer of mulch, such as fallen leaves, to cover the beds, which will prevent weeds from growing in the spring.

Next spring you will have garden beds with rich soil ready for planting.