Re: fertilizer/resting ground

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 Morning One and All,
                      If you are going to rest a veggie
patch over winter, you want to make certain it is
covered in some way. Several good ideas have already 
been put forward. You say your patch is a small one,
well why don't you cover it with a sheet of black 
plastic? This will keep the rain off, thus the nutrients
in the soil wont be washed away, and it will keep weeds
to a minimum.

As to fertilizers. I dig in plenty of homemade compost
and well rotted farmyard manure just about now. I also 
make nettle and comfrey liquid manures, which I apply
as a watered down liquid feed throughout the growing
season. I never use chemical fertilizers, I like to pull
my veg from the earth, wash and eat, knowing I am not
going to harm myself or my family!!! My veggies are so
good, all the slugs, butterflies and other assorted bugs
in the neighbourhood have given me 6 gold stars and 
visit me as often as they can to dine out. Of course I 
take counter measures to deter them all, but again, no
chemicals. I have it down to a fine art now, and I only
lose about 10% of my crop, prehaps a little less, which
is acceptable!!

Good Growing and Eating,

Bill