Today we will talk about the need and rules for the autumn digging of soil. Some people think that spring gardening is enough. I am a supporter of a different theory and every year I carry out an autumn digging as part of preparing the garden for winter. In addition, in the fall, for digging, I apply the necessary fertilizers that will saturate the soil over the winter, and in the spring it will be ready for new plantings. Thus, in my opinion, the autumn digging greatly simplifies the spring work.
So, let's figure out when to dig in the fall, why to do it and how to do it right.
What is the use of autumn digging
If you still doubt whether it is worth digging up a site in the fall, evaluate the positive aspects of this procedure:
- autumn dressings introduced together with digging work much more efficiently than without it;
- thanks to digging, weed crops will be at a great depth for them, which will prevent them from successfully wintering and starting up in active growth in the spring;
- some types of pests and their larvae living in the soil, finding themselves on its surface, will die from low temperatures and chemical treatment;
- digging loosens the soil, providing the necessary air exchange. Thus, with the arrival of spring heat, the soil will warm up much faster.
When digging is necessary
To make the final decision: to dig or not to dig, you need to focus on the type of soil on your site, as well as the climatic features of the region. If your site has heavy soils, I highly recommend digging. For light and loose ones, simple loosening will be enough. For sandstones, you can limit yourself to spring processing.
In southern regions with a warm climate, air exchange in the soil is better, therefore, it is not necessary to dig it up so often. In climates with lower temperatures and high humidity, digging is essential to maintain normal air and moisture exchange.
Thanks to digging, you can adjust the necessary conditions for obtaining a rich harvest.
Optimal timing of work
In order for the digging to be effective and give the expected result, it is worth starting to perform it after the last harvest has been collected and all plant residues have been removed from the soil surface. I always focus on weather conditions and try to dig it before the end of October. Do not delay this event so that the soil does not set in the first frosty temperatures.
Autumn digging rules
The digging depth should always be determined based on the requirements of the crops planned for cultivation in the next season:
- if you plan to plant potatoes, beets or carrots on the site, it is worth digging to a depth of at least 25 centimeters;
- if you plan to plant tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers or legumes, a depth of five centimeters is enough.
During digging, I try not to turn over the layers of soil, but to shift between themselves. This helps not to disturb the beneficial microflora as much as possible. As a tool, I traditionally use a familiar shovel. If desired, the action can be performed using a cultivator, which is most rational for digging in areas of a large area.
There are situations when there is no time or opportunity to dig up a site. In this case, there is one way out - sowing green manure. This, of course, will not replace digging one hundred percent, but it will help loosen the soil to a considerable depth, and also nourish it with useful substances.
Each gardener makes the decision to dig, based on his own experience. Personally, I see a huge benefit of such an agricultural technique and I use it systematically.
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