Garden Soil

How to improve soil quality over the winter

When spring arrives, you will be happy you put in the effort now.

You have now cleaned up the beds and put the hose and most of your tools away for the season. You may think there’s nothing else to do until spring. Not the case.

The plants may get all your attention, but the soil in your garden is what’s really important. There are things you can do to help it along during the colder months. Here are some suggestions:

Plant a cover crop

Cover crops protect the soil in your garden over the winter. A cover crop regimen will increase soil organic matter over time. This will lead to improvements in soil structure, stability, and increased moisture and nutrient for plant growth.

Spread a layer of mulch

Mulch is a winter blanket for your garden soil. Use organic mulch like bark, wood chips, straw, grass clippings, rice, and other seed hulls. Using mulch will put nutrients back into the soil as they biodegrade.

Here’s Why

Compost is the best thing for your soil in the winter. Good soil is alive and teeming with microorganisms that establish complex symbiotic relationships with the root systems of everything you plant. So, take the time to take care of your garden soil now. You will be rewarded in the spring.