Golden Gardener’s Advice: Make sure you do this before winter, and you’ll see your crop really flourish when spring comes around!
Autumn is the ideal time for gardeners to take care of their soil and prepare it for the next season. After months of intensive care, during which the garden has provided us with a bountiful harvest, the soil needs to be thoroughly treated and prepared for the coming winter. The experience-tested approach of the older generations advises us how to do this correctly and efficiently.
Cleaning the soil: the first step to success
After the harvest is over, the beds are left with open spaces. It is these empty spaces that are breeding grounds for weeds, which can spread uncontrollably in the spring if something is not done in time. Cleaning the soil of the remains of annuals and weeds is therefore the first step that should be taken in the autumn. This measure will ensure a clean start for the next season.
Hoeing and fertilising: an important autumn ritual
Once the weeds have been removed, it’s time to turn our attention to the soil itself. Digging and fertilising are essential steps for its recovery. Using organic fertilisers such as manure, compost or green manure will ensure that the soil is sufficiently nourished during the winter and ready for the following year. These fertilisers should be spread evenly over the garden and then worked back into the soil for optimum effectiveness.
Lawn care: Soil acidification and liming
In addition to the flower beds, attention must also be paid to the lawn. At our latitudes, the soil naturally becomes more acidic, which can have a negative effect on the health of the lawn and other plants. Regular liming of the soil, especially in areas with turf, helps maintain an optimum pH and promotes healthy growth. If you notice poor grass growth, faded blades or dry spots, this may be a signal that liming is needed.
Liming is done using special formulations and should be repeated every 2 to 3 years to ensure the correct pH balance. It is important to note that this step should only follow after the lawn has been fertilized to avoid negative interactions between the different products.
In short
Autumn is the ideal time to prepare the soil and the lawn for the next season. Removing weeds and annuals, digging and fertilizing the soil, as well as de-acidifying the lawn through liming are all key steps that will help keep your garden in great shape for next year.
