Roots

So I have started work in my gardens for the season, In fact I have planted one entire box as of last night

One thing I noticed were the amount of roots left over form last season. I thought I had done and ok job of removal but I am pretty sure I must have only thought about removing them. I worked till dusk last night removing roots as best I could. then planted 16 Sq.ft. of leafy greens.

My question is this, how necessary is it to remove last years root systems for this years garden?

thanks in advance

I will be posting up my plantings and future plans for my gardens later tonight.

Good question. I hope somebody will come along and let us know.

Kay

SO generally speaking roots from the previous years crops that are annual plants, you can leave them in the mix if you like or you can pull them out and toss them in the compost. Now, that said, are you sure the roots are from last years plants and not infiltrators? I am having that problem with tree root hairs getting into the SFG beds and that juicy Mel's mix. I have had to take out all those roots and put in weed barrier, which I really do not care for because I like having the little earth worms being able to move in and out of the box when the mix freezes and thaws.

When I am preparing the bed for the next growing season I generally
really MIX my mix and if I feel the roots are bothersome I will remove them. I stir it all up and loosen it with a garden fork. Then I put in a
few wheel barrows full of fresh compost, mix it again and level it off at the top of the box before restringing the grid and planting.

Thanks Camprn, I am certain that the roots left are from last years annuals that I planted. I was just surprised by the extent of the root systems left behind !

I had one root from where I planted a watermelon that went all the way across the box! Thank goodness for MM or it would have torture to remove