In winter, it’s not really the time to plant anything in your vegetable garden, because the cold, frost, rain and wind are not conducive to tillage or the development of plants, despite a few exceptions. . However, this does not mean that nothing should be done during this cold season; on the contrary, it is the right time to protect the earth and clean it. Let’s take stock of the actions to take in winter.
In winter, we clean the vegetable garden
Winter is a good time to clear the land and prepare it for the next plantings, provided you do it early, before the frosts which make the soil very hard and difficult to work.
To do this, it is necessary to eliminate the last vegetable plants in place. You can pull them out of the ground or simply cut them at ground level, the roots will rot on their own and provide a dose of beneficial nitrogen. The cuts can be kept to be deposited in the compost if they are healthy.
In winter, we feed the soil
Winter is the ideal time to nourish your soil in order to feed your future plantations. To do this, deposit your homemade compost or manure if you do not make any or if you lack it. Manure can be in decomposed form or in dehydrated pelleted form, whichever suits you best.
Allow about 2 to 3 kilos of natural food per square meter and spread the compost or manure well on the ground. Scratch the surface of the earth quickly, don’t bother burying it, because this natural food will feed beneficial insects and micro-organisms favorable to your soil. By feeding, they will contribute to feeding your soil, fertilizing it and aerating it so as to prepare it well for your future plantations.
In winter, we mulch the ground
Once your soil is well nourished with compost and/or manure, it’s time to mulch it. Mulching is indeed necessary to protect it from cold, frost, wind and incessant rain, but also to feed and fertilize it. Mulching can be composed of organic, mineral, textile or plastic mulches.
Be generous by mulching your soil to a thickness of 5 to 7 cm and maintain it throughout the winter so that it retains its height. Mulching is excellent for creating a climate conducive to the development and work of living organisms in the soil. It warms your plants and protects them from frost.
To make up your mulch, you can use lawn clippings, dead leaves, healthy vegetable garden residue, straw, crushed wood, pine bark, as well as pieces of brown cardboard, textile fabrics, etc.
Remember to lightly water your soil before mulching if it is dry, and after applying the mulch. On the other hand, never mulch the ground when it is already frozen. Take the lead.
In winter, we prepare our seedlings
Some plantations can be carried out in winter if the ground is not frozen and if the climate remains relatively mild. This is the case with tarragon, spring onions, shallots and even salsify.
Do not hesitate to cover them with mulch to protect them from the cold, as well as the plantations that you wish to leave in place.