In autumn there is a lot to do in the garden: the last of the fruit and vegetables still have to be brought in, leaves have to be raked and all the beds have to be made ready for the winter. The specific work that needs to be done depends primarily on the planting. Empty, harvested beds are naturally treated differently than those on which perennial trees and shrubs thrive.
How do you prepare beds for winter?
Making beds winter-proof includes cutting perennial trees, planting hardy perennials, protecting sensitive plants, harvesting and digging up vegetable beds, sowing green manure and covering the beds with organic mulch.
Pruning plants in autumn
Autumn is the ideal time for pruning for many plants: woody plants such as shrubs and trees in particular should be pruned now. But be careful: not every woody plant can be cut, and some species cannot tolerate autumn pruning. Therefore, always research the appropriate measures for the type of plant to be cut before picking up scissors. Contrary to advice to the contrary, most perennials should not be cut in autumn, but rather in the following spring.
Planting perennials and trees
Autumn is also the best time to plant many hardy perennials, shrubs and trees - as well as onion flowers that bloom in spring. Place the plant in the ground as early as possible so that it can establish itself before the first frost.
Pack sensitive plants
Before the nights get really cold, you should also wrap up winter-hardy but still sensitive plants - such as roses - warmly. Wrap the plants in jute (€12.00 at Amazon) or gardener's fleece and mulch the root area with leaves, bark mulch and straw. Precious roses are also piled up to protect the grafting area.
Harvesting and digging up vegetable beds
Vegetable beds are harvested in autumn, unless leeks or certain types of cabbage are involved. These vegetables are frost hardy and taste better after the first frost anyway. Once the harvest has been harvested, prepare the beds for the planting season next spring: heavy soils are dug up thoroughly, lighter soils are simply loosened slightly with a digging fork. Manure or compost can now also be added to the soil.
Sowing green manure on harvested beds
Green manure - for example in the form of phacelia or winter rye - is also recommended for vegetable beds. The seeds often germinate at low temperatures of around five degrees Celsius and are simply buried in the spring.
Covering beds
Once all the work described has been completed, cover both planted and empty beds. Various organic mulching materials are very suitable for this, such as leaves, straw or bark mulch. This rots and provides valuable fertilizer in the coming year.
Tip
Before winter, beds should no longer be fertilized - apart from rotting organic material. You can only apply lime if necessary.
