Winter Soil Preparation

Garden soil is usually the last thought for gardeners on a typical winter day.

Winter soil preparation is important for growers looking to get the most out of their gardens. Soil erosion from winter wind and water is the greatest danger for garden and farm soils. According to Ed Shortes of the University of California, composting can help protect and even improve soil conditions through the winter.

Protection is Key

Protecting the soil is important to regulate winter erosion and spring weed infestation. Unprotected soil is exposed to the wet and windy weather conditions most people experience in winter. The water and wind generated in winter storms and weather conditions cause soil to break down and become displaced. This soil displacement is referred to as erosion, and unprotected gardens and farm soils are at risk of losing healthy topsoil to erosive forces.

Removal of Plant Matters

Removing all plant matter from garden or farm soil before winter will increase the chance of clean weed-free soil in spring. Plant matter from weeds will leave seeds that likely will survive winter and sprout in spring, and plant matter from gardening or farming should be either incorporated with the soil through tillage or removed. Adding plant matters to a compost bin or pile will kill weed seeds, and soils will improve when compost is incorporated in the spring.

Compost Layers

Shortes recommends covering soils with layers of leaf compost for winter protection. Using moist--not wet--layers of leaves over garden or farm soil protects soil from erosion while adding healthy soil aggregates--soil conglomerations made up of different sized components--and nutrients--such as nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous--to soil. Leaf compost layers should not exceed six inches of total height, and compost layers will need covered to protect against heavy rains that slow decomposition.

Cover Crops

Another excellent way to combat erosion and protect soil is cover crops. Cover crops are planted in fall and remain rooted trough spring before tillage incorporates these crops into soil aggregates and green manures--crops grown to protect and replenish soil nutrients. Rye is an excellent winter protection crop used on many farms.

Winter Gardening

Richard Poole, a curator for the Christchurch Botanical Gardens, recommends the planting of winter crops to protect soil and continue gardening year-round. There are many plants that weather winter months in large portions of the U.S. Escarole and like hardy greens as well as carrot, potatoes and like root vegetables are all ably grown in the winter months. Flower bulbs frequently require planting in early winter for late winter and early spring blooms. There are also several ornamental plants and shrubs that grow well in winter months. Growing vegetables and other plants in winter months will improve soils, maintain soil health and protect against winter erosive forces.

References

• University of California: Rebuild Your Garden Soil During the Winter
• ChristChurchCity Libraries: The Winter Garden