Recharge Your Soil this Fall.
The key to a thriving spring harvest!
Just like you charge your phone or electric car, there is a perfect time to charge your soil! Amending your raised beds with a 2-inch layer of Deep Roots Project’s microbe- and nutrient-rich compost every fall and spring is essential for a successful, healthy garden year after year. This step is not optional - it’s one of the foundations of our innovative growing method, making the difference between an okay garden and a spectacular harvest.
Why is Fall the best time to amend raised beds?
Microbial activity may slow down in winter, but it never stops. By adding compost in the Fall, you're giving your garden a protective blanket through the cold months. The compost continues to work, delivering nutrients and protecting the soil from harsh winter conditions. Plus, when the spring thaw arrives, your bed will be fully charged and ready for a bountiful season. This early preparation puts you ahead of the game!
Add a blanket of compost and leaves
After the fall harvest, push to the sides of the bed any straw you used for mulch during the growing season. Then apply a 2-inch layer of our compost to nourish soil microbes, which are vital for plant health and disease resistance. Top it off with a layer of fallen leaves to protect the compost from erosion and to add organic matter. Together, this creates a shield for your garden, preventing damage from wind, rain, and sun while feeding the soil throughout winter.
Our compost is better than store-bought soil
Not all compost is created equal. Deep Roots Project compost is made from a mix of manure and plant waste, then processed using a heat-loving microbes (thermophilic) method that maximizes microbial and nutrient density. This compost is rich in beneficial bacteria, fungi, and nutrients that commercial garden center soils simply can't match. Certified by OMRI and tested for organic food growing, it’s the best choice for growing healthy, resilient plants.
Don’t let bare soil go to waste
Remember, never leave your soil bare! Protect your raised beds by adding compost before all your annuals are harvested. If you have conventional soil, dig out a few inches to make space for the compost. Then, cover it with leaves and, if desired, a layer of landscape fabric for extra protection. This step will combat winter erosion and keep your soil microbes thriving.
Another option is to plant a cover crop of mustard in fall. See our cover crop post for more details: Cover Crops in Raised Beds.
Plant spinach and garlic in fall
Looking for a way to extend your growing season? Plant spinach in mid-November! After applying your compost, sow spinach seeds in rows, and cover with leaves. Spinach is a hardy crop that thrives through winter and will provide an early, nutritious harvest in spring. Not only will you get fresh spinach, but the plants will also protect your soil when nothing else can grow. At the end of February remove the leaves covering your spinach so they don’t block the spinach sprouts. (If you are worried you will forget to remove the leaves - then don’t cover the spinach at all.) Your spinach crop will be larger if planted in fall rather than in spring. Plant garlic in mid-October for a July harvest. Our planting garlic blog post has details.
Prepare for a spectacular spring—start now!
By taking these simple steps in the fall, you’re setting your garden up for success next year. Our compost and worm castings are designed to support the life in your soil, giving you healthier, stronger plants that are more resistant to pests and disease. Don’t wait until spring to start preparing -amend your raised beds now and reap the rewards when planting season arrives!
Amending your beds again in the spring boosts microbes and nutrients even more. Fall and spring composting is essential for long-term garden health and successful harvests year after year.
Our online store
See our online store for details about prices, ordering and delivery of raised beds, compost, worm castings and more. Please contact our customer support team before placing an order online so we can assist you with the details and answer your gardening questions.
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