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Just because your garden plants don’t grow in the winter doesn’t mean your work is done for the season. These months are crucial to your soil quality during spring planting. Use this time to build and replenish your soil in preparation for upcoming gardening. Below are a few pointers to get you started.

Winter Soil Tips for Your Garden

1. Let It Lie

While winter might seem like a good time to dig and turn the soil in preparation for spring planting, resist the urge. This is the time when the leftover roots and fungal mycelium are rotting and enriching the soil. Cultivating it now can interrupt the process.

2. Mulch the Area

To protect the garden from erosion over the winter, cover it with a generous layer of your favorite mulch. Autumn leaves are a good choice since they can also enrich the soil, but wood chips and other mulch options are also acceptable.

3. Grow Ground Cover

soilAnother option to protect against erosion is a hardy winter crop. Hairy vetch, winter peas, or winter grains not only protect the soil, but they also enrich it for your spring crops. Or, you can simply let your weeds grow since there are no crops for them to harm during this time of year.

4. Fill in Hollows

Over time, you may find soil compacting or eroding around the roots of trees or other long-term plants. This is a good time to refill the space. Add soil to any hollows that have formed, and if dirt has been washed into undesirable areas, dig it out.

5. Compost

If your soil has been depleted by multiple plants, this is a good time to revive it. You can save fertilizers for spring — but lay your compost down right after fall cleanup for the best effects.

 

The better you take care of your garden this winter, the better your yield will be in spring. Start now to prepare your soil for the cold weather ahead. For assistance, get in touch with Northgate Greenhouses in Cincinnati, OH. The staff makes their own special blend of soil in 40-pound bags and sells other top brands, as well. Their award-winning greenhouses have been running for 12 years, and they also offer flowers, vegetables, foliage, succulents, and supplies of all kinds. Call them today at (513) 729-1134 or visit them online for more information.

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