It depends on where you live. Up here in NE PA our crops are almost done by Sept, this is spring right now I should say almost spring..............it is going to frost tonight, but I prefer using hay, leaves, grass, chopped up newspapers a little lime and old horsemanure turn it over with a tiller or tractor..............lasts all year long...............I also put black cover down to keep the weeds down. Good luck with your garden.