Operation Squash Plant Relocation is a Success!
Ok, so "removal" is probably more appropriate.
As expected the overnight frost did wallop the squash plants. Prior years have seen me being less proactive so I would let them sit in the garden until they were becoming mush or were frozen. This year I am trying to be on top of things so at first chance I have removed all the squash plants. It took 3 loads this sized to get all of the plants moved. Due to the fencing still being up around the garden I was forced to go the long way around each trip which made it fun trying to balance the tall stack.
The plants don't look THAT bad, but they froze pretty bad. The prior 2 days we had rain off and on and yesterday afternoon the showers came through which caused everything to still be wet when the temps began to fall. That moisture ended up freezing solid overnight or early this morning and that was all it took to destroy the leaves and buds/flowers.
The sheep and alpaca are the benefactors of the mass of spent vegetation. They have been particularly bitchy lately as they had run through the majority of their latest bale, there is little vegetation in their pen, the brewing grains have been less the past while, and they just want to fatten up for winter. The birds were not that excited about the squash so the sheep got the bulk of it. I am sure the turkeys are going to like the bean plants once I start lobbing them into their pen.
Among the MULTITUDES of tasks I need to complete before winter hits is the pine needle collection again this year. It was a resounding success last year and provided a much needed barrier between the gnarly, mucky, muddy, mess of a yard both pens experienced. I have a pile built already in the cul-de-sac but the recent storm winds knocked down a boat load more that I need to gather. I have a bit of time to get that done, I need to get the garden winterized sooner than later now. The end of year rush is always rough trying to get everything finished up outside before the cold and snows arrive.
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