Early Garden Rejuvenation for Succession Cropping
Many gardeners may face a common dilemma with the time spent planting fall vegetable crops just around the corner. They’ve diligently worked their soil, planted crops, and meticulously cared for their plants. Nevertheless, they’ve also seen a decline in the vigor of the most recent succession in their garden. In all their hard efforts, the question must be raised… “Do I need to give my garden a rest?”
Succession planting offers a wide variety of benefits for the garden, including ample crop production, a diverse and healthy soil microbiome, and pest mitigation from crop rotation. However, there can be such a thing as too much of a good thing. With every succession of crops, vital nutrients are removed from the soil, creating a need for eventual replenishment. Soil aggregates, essential for proper soil water retention and plant rooting, are further broken down with each planting. And perhaps most noticeably, the final round of crops may fall short of their expected quality due to the changes mentioned above, with smaller plants, less abundant fruits, and sometimes plants that fail to take off altogether.
As such, an important “tool” in a gardener’s back pocket should be to know when it is time for the garden to take a rejuvenating break. Though often done later in the fall, soil remediation can begin now for a more thorough refresh of the garden. Beginning with solarization, a process that harnesses the power of the sun to sterilize weed seeds, disease, and insect infestations, the rejuvenation process gains a significant boost. This method works faster in the summer sun and can cut a process that takes several months to about six weeks, offering a quicker path to a healthier garden. The key here is timing; knowing when to start can make all the difference.
After solarization, however, gardeners need to account for everything being sterilized within the garden bed. Unfortunately, this includes beneficial soil microorganisms. This is where step two of remediation comes in: Compost incorporation.
By the nature of its creation, compost teems with beneficial soil microorganisms that bind with plants, ultimately enabling them to absorb soil-available nutrients better. As such, incorporation of compost will always be helpful for plants, and it will also be just the ticket to jumpstarting soil that has recently been solarized. Unless the compost is fully broken down into humus, this incorporation will also work organic matter into the soil, which helps with aeration and further supports microorganisms. The golden rule: 10% organic matter in a soil profile is often too high and can create hydrophobic soil. Be careful with amounts incorporated.
Finally, with a hefty head start on soil remediation, manure incorporation can also take place soon, potentially opting for raw uncomposted manure if the soil desperately needs nutrient replenishment. Since the ground will be fallow until the spring, the incorporated manure will have ample time to work its way into the soil while any pathogens present die off. So long as this is done 120 days before a crop is harvested, aligning with food safety standards, the crops will be safe for consumption. Also, remember that overapplication of manure can lead to nutrient runoff, wreaking havoc on local water supplies. As such, Soil Testing (offered through your local Extension office) is always recommended first.
So, don’t forget, if you’re feeling a little drained this gardening season, and your garden is showing it too, there are still opportunities to make the most of the time available. With the proper rejuvenation techniques, your garden can bounce back and be even more vibrant and productive.
by Anthony Reardon, Horticulture Small Farms Agent, 2025