NC Cooperative Extension Agent Matt Jones visited with his friends to help us plant a fall garden in Chatham Trades’ new raised garden beds. The beds were built by a boy scout for his Eagle Scout badge. The materials were purchased with a grant from Central Electric Membership Company.

Along with Matt, Master Gardeners Kevin Higgins, Cathy Sinclair and Jody Arcote showed us how to break up the hard ground, pull up all of the weeds and fertilize the soil.

Then we planted fall garden items including spinach, kale, collards, chard and leeks in three of the beds. We are all looking forward to making a healthy salad!

In the other three beds, we planted crimson clover, wheat and peas, which will create a ground cover. This will help to fertilize the soil for Spring planting.