Just as people change their wardrobe or tune up heaters and fireplaces for winter, your garden also needs to prepare for the coldest season of the year. Autumn is the natural transition time, when daylight hours are reduced and temperatures begin to drop. It is at this time when we must clean and fertilize the land if we want it to maintain its splendor and fertility for next spring.
Plants take advantage of the fall to supply the nutrients that allow them to face the fall, so good composting can be key to their survival. At this stage of their annual cycle, plants need to recover from water wear and high temperatures and prepare to resist frost and snow. Fertilizing is necessary, even if they are not going to grow in the short term!
The first thing you should do is eliminate the weeds in your garden from the roots. Yes, those that grow throughout the year and do not need to be fertilized and, however, are real thieves of water and nutrients for your plants, as well as a magnet for pests.
Next, collect the leaves from the garden and use them to make your own composting or mulching. This is a gardening technique, although simple, that is extremely effective for making your own organic fertilizer. For the mixture you can use this and other plant waste, such as peelings or wood ash, which will provide potash and calcium; or from animals, such as manure.
Apply a five to three-inch layer of compost over the roots of your plants to act as a natural fertilizer. In addition, it is recommended to place an additional layer of pine bark to protect them from the cold.
Finally, water the plants moderately so that the nutrients in the fertilizer penetrate the roots. Always do it in the middle of the day about twice a week, even less if you live in an area with a rainy climate.
Autumn is, although it may not seem like it, an ideal season for planting and transplanting. Good composting will significantly increase the chances that your plants will emerge and grow successfully.
