Soil Preparation For Winter
Preparing the soil in late July to mid-August for winter is all about replenishing and cleansing it, getting it in the best condition to grow big and juicy crops that will feed your family throughout the cold months. By following these simple tips to prepare the vegetable patch for winter, whether in the garden or on the allotment it will ensure the quality of your soil and future crops.
Step 1
The first step to winterise your vegetable patch is to remove any remaining plant parts and make sure to pull all weeds out from the plot. Even though weeds tend to die with the first frost, their seeds are known to survive the winter, which makes it increasingly important to pull out all you can see. Discard them in the compost heap or bin as the heat from the compost process usually kills the majority of the weed seeds.
Step 2
After the plot has been cleared, plant a cover crop to prevent any top soil from eroding. This will also discourage winter weeds growing if missed when first clearing the plot. When the cover crops are tilled into the soil they also produce valuable organic nutrients in the spring. Winter rye works well in many regions and provides protection for the soil underneath. The cover crop will also shade the soil and doesn’t necessarily have to be planted all at once, when more space is provided after harvesting each crop plant in that area.
As an alternative to the cover crop, you can try using green manure or prepare the soil by removing old growth and tilling the beds under. It is a good idea to protect your soil by covering it with a mulch as this will discourage the growth of winter weeds.
Top Tip: Cover crops are not harvested like vegetables; instead you work them into the soil.
Step 3
Start sowing seeds in late summer, but make sure to cut off any green growth before the winter. Some great vegetables to start sowing are carrots, onions and parsnips, but make sure to cover them with mulch. If you want to grow winter crops such as cabbage, they are best grown in a cold frame or cloche as these provide the protection they require.