With the onset of autumn, life on the garden site stops. The harvest is collected, the plants are gradually preparing for wintering. It's time to help them and apply a sufficient amount of fertilizer to the soil. How I do it, you will learn from this article.
Why do this before winter
I pay special attention to the autumn feeding of plants for a number of reasons:
- Vitamin-infused roots are stronger and more frost-resistant.
- The nutrients accumulated in the soil since the fall allow the plants to start healthy growth in early spring with renewed vigor.
- Fertilized trees and shrubs are more resistant to diseases and pests.
What to use for feeding
In the fall, I use almost any kind of fertilizer. The most popular are: manure, sawdust, humus, ash, complex mineral compositions and others.
Manure
One of the most effective non-chemical fertilizers. Usually, manure is applied for digging, since direct application burns the delicate stems and roots of plants. Fertilize the soil with manure no more than 1 time in 3-4 years. In the fall, I apply about 4 kg of fertilizer per 1 sq. meter of soil, after which I dig up the ground. Manure is an excellent fertilizer for fruit trees, berry bushes and potatoes. Fresh manure is not suitable, but rotted 2-3-year-old is just right. It must be introduced into the soil near the trunk circle and carefully mulched.
Ash
After burning garden plant waste, I always have the most valuable universal fertilizer available. Plants are fed with ash and the soil is fertilized no more than 1 time in 2-3 years. It is ideal for berry bushes, especially raspberries. For fertilization, I take up to 400 grams of ash per 1 sq. meter of soil. Ash should not be used when feeding plants that prefer acidic and moderately acidic soils, so as not to harm them.
Sawdust
A great way to fertilize dense sandy soil is to use sawdust and shredded tree bark. Use them to mulch garden beds, shrubs and fruit trees: sawdust perfectly retain moisture and allow air to pass through. After decomposition, they turn into humus, which feeds the soil with various microelements.
Complex mineral formulations
In gardening stores, you can find a large number of ready-made liquid fertilizers for the autumn garden. I usually opt for feeding with a special label on the packaging "Autumn". These fertilizers are intended for use during this period, therefore they contain a reduced amount of nitrogen, which stimulates plant growth and increased amounts of phosphorus, potassium and calcium, which strengthen immunity.
Compost and peat
I, like any gardener, have several piles of rotted compost on the site - an excellent organic fertilizer. I often mix compost with peat, and after being introduced into the soil, it remains fertile for a long time, retains moisture well, which has a beneficial effect on plants.
Siderata
A special place in my system of autumn feeding is occupied by this cheap and environmentally friendly fertilizer. I sow alfalfa, mustard, clover or oats at the end of summer, and already in the middle of autumn, when the grass reaches 10-15 cm in height, I carefully dig up the soil.
Chicken droppings
After picking berries from garden bushes, I feed them, albeit not very pleasant, but very valuable fertilizer - chicken droppings. I apply dry litter at the rate of 0.5 kg per 1 sq. meter for beds or use it in liquid form, dissolved in water in proportions of 1:15 under a bush. After that, I dig up the soil or mulch.
Other autumn fertilizers
On my site, I also use other fertilizers, in particular, lime and dolomite flour to reduce the acidity of the soil, various ready-made complex compositions.
Autumn is an important period in preparing plants for the coming season. Use the tips I've listed and your garden will reward you with healthy plants and a bountiful harvest.
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#Plant feeding#fertilizers#autumn