Garden101: The Importance of Winter Soil-Enrichment

With autumn now finally here and the days drawing in, there’s less and less to do in the garden or on the allotment.

Most crops and plants have been harvested, and flowers are fading after their stunning summer display. Grounds are starting to look bare, with soil being exposed to the cold air and seasonal rains.

This period is when the soil should be fed – enriching it with nutrients will help it be ahead of the game when the growing-season resumes, and encourages the optimum balance of microorganisms essential for good soil health.

Green Manuring

One common technique is green manuring; an agricultural and horticultural practice where vegetables – mainly leguminous plants – are planted as soil-nourishing cover crops, rather than for production purposes. These crops are sown in the autumn and cut in the spring.

In addition to feeding the soil, this practice produces much-needed nitrogen; mitigates the effect of frost by absorbing excess water; and consolidates the earth to prevent soil loss.

Green manuring in winter is not limited leguminous plants; it’s a good idea to also include some crucifers and grasses. In summary: legumes fix nitrogen in the soil; crucifers provide frost protection; grasses function as thick cover crops. Multi-species seed mixtures – specially selected for the best results – are available on the market. One interesting such mixture is a combination of vetch, field beans, peas, clover and phacelia.

All too often we look at the surface without delving into what’s actually happening within the soil, so get green-manuring this autumn!