Removing summer crops: a necessary job

With the arrival of autumn, it's time to remove summer crops: tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, zucchini... Often, when production declines, they are not removed and remain in the garden for weeks longer, but leaving dead or damaged plants in the field can be a major source of pests and diseases.

Why do they need to be removed?

• Persistent pests: aphids, spider mites or whiteflies can survive in plant remains.
• Fungal diseases: Mildew, powdery mildew and other fungi remain on dry leaves and stems, and can re-sprout vigorously in the spring.
• Garden hygiene: a clean space facilitates autumn-winter sowing and planting and reduces risks.

When should summer crops be removed?

There is no exact date, but signs that tell us it is time:

• End of production: when the fruits no longer ripen well and the plant only maintains old leaves.
• Established pests: if aphids, spider mites or whiteflies already dominate the plant, it is not worth keeping it.
• Climatic conditions: in autumn, when cold nights arrive and production slows down a lot.
• Need to prepare the ground: for sowing or planting autumn-winter crops (cabbage, spinach, beans, garlic, etc.).

In summary, It's better to retire a little early than too late.: this prevents the plant from being a source of problems and saves time to prepare the soil well and make use of the leftovers.

What do we do with the leftovers?

It's not just about pulling up and throwing it away. Plant debris has a lot of value if it's put to good use:

• Composting: crushed and mixed with dry matter (straw, leaf litter), they provide nutrients to the compost. If the compost is well made, it doesn't matter if the plants have pests.
• Green fertilizer (if the plants are healthy): they can be buried lightly so that when they decompose they improve the structure and fertility of the soil.

Practical advice

1. First remove plants with clear symptoms of disease and do not compost them (better to dispose of them).
2. Crush or cut the leftovers before composting them: they will decompose faster.
3. Take the opportunity to check the condition of the soil and, if necessary, incorporate organic matter.
4. Plan your crop rotation now: good rotation will help maintain fertility and reduce pest pressure.

Ultimately, removing summer crops is not just a matter of order, but a good practice to keep the garden healthy and productive. Furthermore, if we make good use of it, what might seem like waste becomes a valuable resource.