How to Prepare Garden Soil for Spring in the Fall
Would you looking to improve the health of your garden soil?
Did you know that good soil preparation for spring starts now in the fall?
As fall comes to cities all across the U.S. you may be thinking that your gardening is all done. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Today, we are looking at what we can do right now to prepare our soil for the next spring.
Define a Vision for your Garden
I know, it just became fall and we are already talking about next spring. One of the most critical parts of gardening, landscaping, and any lawn care is to always be looking ahead. After you know what you want your garden to look like, than it’s time to start preparing for that.
What is the Best Way to Prepare Garden Soil?
The answer to what is the best way to prepare garden soil is: not to mulch or put plastic down, but rather cover crops. Here is what Organic Gardening had to say about cover crop,
Cover crops are plants grown not to be eaten or admired, but to be cut down and dug back into the soil to enrich it. There are different crops for different climates, but all pay off big: Beds over-wintered with cover crops start spring leaps and bounds ahead of uncovered beds.”
Here are a few options that you can use for cover crop. Some options you may find in your pantry.
- Oats
If you are in zones 6 and below, oats could be exactly what your garden needs this winter. Oats are one of the easiest ground covers to use because they don’t require a lot of work in the spring. - Ryegrass
Or rather annual ryegrass is another way to prepare your soil for this coming winter. Annual ryegrass is a great option because its roots grow about 3-5 inches deeps underground breaking up the soil for you. - Clover
Planting clover seeds is a great way to replenish the soil after harvesting. Make sure to plant the seeds in between the rows.
Preparing your garden’s soil in the fall for the following spring does not have to be an overwhelming project. With these simple techniques, you will be well on your way to preparing for your spring garden.
Do you have any other ways that you prepare your garden for spring in the fall?
