Autumn and especially winter are two seasons in which those who have a garden hardly have work, but be careful, that does not mean that nothing has to be done. In fact, several plants can still be planted, and if we live in an area where frosts occur, it is time to protect crops from low temperatures.
Plus, you can start preparing the land for next season. You know what they say: don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today. That way, when spring comes, all you have to do is choose what you're going to grow and get to work. But let's take a closer look. how to prepare the garden for winter.
Plan the garden
The first, and probably most important thing to do is remove crops that are running out, clean planting lines and remove soilWe'll take advantage of this moment to add mulch, or a universal substrate if we're growing in a container garden. It's also essential know how to make a home garden to optimize space.
Once this is done, it's time to plan what you're going to plant, taking into account the general requirements of the crops you plan to grow. You can find out more about what can be planted in each season with the annual crop calendar and don't forget the names of vegetables that cannot be missed in your garden.
Prepare the land
Horticultural plants absorb a large amount of nutrients from the soil, so if we do not fertilize, the normal thing is that the crops are poorer each year. But what types of fertilizers are there? Well, there are several, but the ones that interest us are the organic-ecological ones, like these:
- Compost: it is nothing more than organic matter (leaves, fruits, branches, etc.) that has been attacked by fungi and decomposing bacteria and worms. Here explains how to do it.
- Manure: it is the excrement of animals, be it cows, birds, pigs, horses, etc. Each one has a different composition, so we must know which one we really need depending on the land type that we have.
- Green manure: these are herbs that are cultivated for their function as fertilizers, such as rye, white mustard or common vetch. Here You have more information.
As soon as we have the subscription that interests us, what we will do is put a layer of about ten centimeters on the surface of the soil and we will mix it with a rake or a tiller. For more details on which crops are ideal for winter, check out growing radish in winter and find out which fruits and vegetables cannot be missing from your garden.
Reduce risks
Depending on the area in which we live, we will water more or less. For example, while in the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, the south and southeast of the Iberian Peninsula we can water about 3 times a week, in the coldest areas (which are usually the most humid as well) such as the north of the peninsula it is most likely that 1 watering a week is enough.
Furthermore, it is important to take into account the time of watering, preferably at midday, as there is less risk of frost at that time. To learn what to plant specifically in an urban garden in winter, consult what to plant in an urban garden, so you can select those species that best adapt to this season.
Protect crops
In the event that we live in an area where frosts occur, it is necessary to protect the crops. But how?
- Protective fabrics: as the anti-frost fabric. They are ideal for both low-growing crops and young fruit trees. They protect both from the cold and from animals that can harm them, such as birds.
- Culture tunnels: they are a very easy to make structure that is shaped like an arch and covered with a strong (greenhouse) plastic. This is installed on the crop to be protected and is maintained until temperatures begin to rise.
- Greenhouses: there are many types and sizes, so depending on what we want to protect from the cold, we will choose one or the other. You can also consult What to plant in a greenhouse in winter.
With all these tips, we are sure to enjoy the garden a lot .
