October in the garden: preparing plants for winter dormancy

      An expert reminded of the key measures that should be carried out before the onset of sustained frosts.

      Mid-autumn is a decisive period for every gardener. Proper preparation of the plot for the cold determines how successfully trees, shrubs and perennial crops will survive the winter and greet spring full of vigor. Rosselkhozcenter expert Guzel Khusainova reminded of the key measures that should be carried out before the onset of sustained frosts.

      Planting and insulation

      Fruit trees and berry bushes can be planted until mid-October. Young saplings of apple, pear, plum, currant and gooseberry will have time to take root and undergo natural hardening by the winter cold. To protect them from frost, they are mounded up to a height of 40 cm, and the branches are covered just before the frosts.

      After harvesting winter varieties of apples and pears, the trees need a heavy moisture-replenishing watering. It is recommended to pour 3–4 buckets of water at the base of each tree. Spraying currants, gooseberries and strawberries with hot water is considered an effective way to protect them from frost.

      Soil work

      Autumn digging of the soil under trees and shrubs with the application of manure and phosphate fertilizers is a mandatory step. To avoid damaging the root system, it is better to use forks. In vegetable beds the soil is dug to a depth of at least 30 cm, enriching it with ash, organic matter and mineral complexes.

      For future plantings of potatoes, cabbage and carrots, autumn application of manure and phosphorus-potassium formulations that decompose slowly is especially useful. Beds covered with plastic film will help accelerate warming in spring.

      Protection from pests and rodents

      After leaf fall, trees and shrubs are treated with a 3% solution of ferrous sulfate. This destroys insects overwintering in the bark and combats lichens. Plant residues showing signs of disease are removed from the plot, while healthy foliage is used to cover perennials.

      Against soil pests, biopreparations based on Trichoderma or Metarhizium are applied with subsequent incorporation into the soil. To protect against rodents, trunks are wrapped with burlap or special material from the ground up to the maximum height. Young trees are fully covered.

      Special care for flowers and winter sowing

      Dahlia tubers and gladioli are dug up, while tulips and hyacinths are planted for the winter. Perennial flowers are fed with complex fertilizers; roses and hydrangeas are covered with film and a layer of leaves.

      At the end of October, late-autumn sowing of greens and root crops can be carried out. The seeding rate is increased 2–2.5 times to compensate for possible losses. Radish, dill and parsley sown in a greenhouse will give an early harvest if the beds are covered by the first snowfall — it will protect the seeds from freezing and provide moisture in spring.

      Properly carried out autumn work is the key to a healthy garden and a bountiful harvest next season.

      Gulchechek Izmailova

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