Thursday 13 - Prepare your garden for spring

 

Prepare your garden for spring

1. Set up a compost system.
   There are several ways to make a compost system. You can have a look at pinterest, for instance.
   I have a compost bin with a tray underneath and air inlet, and a lid that is easy to open, which also functions as an air inlet. At the side, from the bottom, there is a slide which can be drawn up, so you can scoop the compost out.
   When I empty the bin, once in 2 years, I keep a bucket of good compost aside. 
   I restart the system by putting short branches at the bottom. This keeps what is thrown in the bin, airy. without getting too moist.
   On it green stuff, like vegetables, leaves etc. No cooked food, no potatoe peels. Not to thick of a layer of leaves.
   If you have a lot of leaves, mix them with some soil from the garden to prevent them sticking together and getting uncompostable. On top of it the compost from the bucket or a bit of compost starter. You can buy it in a gardencenter.
   You can do this already in the winter, if you want to. In that case: when spring starts throw one or two buckets of warm water on top of it to speed up the process.
   During the year you can air it with a rake, pushing againt the bin so there is a bit of movement inside.
   
   
2. Clean your garden tools, so you won't bring diseases in your garden.
   
   
3. Get rid of weeds. If possible, pull them by hand. When you feel resistance, dig the roots out. Many weeds can regrow from a small piece of root or leaf.
   
   
4. Fertilize. There are many ways to fertilize. Use as much organic as you can without stuffing the noses of your neighbours with it. LOL!
   Be aware that every day food waste can fertilize, not only by using in the bin, but also by putting it directly in the garden. Some people put sliced banana peels in a can with water and leave it for 3 or 4 days and then pour it in the garden. On leaves it works against some insects. Others dry the pieces in the sun and use it as dry compost.
   I am experimenting this winter with sliced bananapeels directly thrown in the garden. The pieces compost in open air.
   Banan peels contain: 
   --  calcium, which promotes root growth helps add oxygen to your soil.
   --  magnesium, which assists with photosynthesis
   --  sulphur, which helps plants develop strong roots and repel pests
   --  phosphorus, which improves fruiting and flowering
        and assists with pollination and seed germination and viability
   --  potassium, which improves general plant vigour, including building resistance to pests and diseases and assists with fruit development.
   
   
5. Use chalk if you didn't use it in autumn AND if the soil needs it.
   
   
6. Scarify the grass. Remove all dead grass and moss. Best be done in the morning. Go first only from one side to the other and the next day the other way.
   
   
7. Air the soil. You can use a rake.
   
   
8. Prune the plants that need it. When you do it instead of in autumn you may miss a season of fruits.
   
   
9. Get rid of the green colour on stones etc. You can do it in different ways. On the paths you can use wintersalt...plants won't like it. Cleaning vinegar is best be used on gardenfurniture, etc. De high pressure machine works fine everywhere.
   Don't use chlorine. It's very bad for the environment and is not better than the options I have given.
   
   
10. Buy seeds. Check for the date. Expensive is not always better. I have had the best lettuce from the cheapest little bag. Bought it for half prize in th sales for fun and had lettuce completely out of season until the winterfrost hit it.
    
    
11. Make plant areas. Raised beds are very convenient. But you can also lay out areas with stones, or anything else. Don't use old branches. They mag have mold on them or insects in them, that love eating your fresh green.
    
    
12. Use compost from your own compostbin and mix it with the soil in the beds or with new soil.
    
    
13. Sow your seeds and place a stick in the front of the bed with the name of the plant.
    
    
    Enjoy!!
    
    
    
    
    

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About **Syl

Syl: "Life is a chain of challenges. Sometimes the largest challenges are we ourselves. Facing life, facing others and facing yourself requires either a worryless attitude or plain courage. Most of the time it is dealing with judgement. Maybe life is about getting rid of it."