Market Farming

["Pat Rupiper" <arupiper AT bright.net>]

I strongly suggest that you mulch mow the plot until leaf collection time.  Just keep mowing! When the county does leaf pick up, arrange with the service to drop on site (or arrange for many vehicles to pick up). If you can - then mow the leaves, spread down on layers of black ink only newspaper ( at least 6 layers of single pages) around 4 - 6 inches deep. If this sits over the winter, the leaves will break down into soil and the newspaper and lack of sun will have smothered the leaves. If you have a tiller, fine in the spring, if not, plant through the mulch. If you can get the soil tested, do so now, because additives will have an easier time correcting the soil if they go down with the newspaper.

Good luck, sounds like a wonderful project. Pat