Garden and vegetable garden in winter. Work in the garden and in the garden in winter

During the winter months activity outside country house decreases, it is time to prepare for the numerous winter holidays. But for real gardeners, there will be enough work in the garden during this period, especially if the weather allows.

Flowers in the winter garden

So, what garden jobs are waiting to be done? If you have plantings of roses, hydrangeas or other flowers in your garden, then you probably arranged for them winter shelter. And after a bad weather, it will be very wise to check the condition of these shelters and correct them if necessary.

We clean and cut the plants

Taking advantage of a clear winter day, in the absence of snow cover, why not clean up fallen leaves, trim perennials and eliminate overgrown plants.

If the temperature is still in the positive part of the thermometer, and the earth has not had time to freeze, then nothing prevents the planned transplants and plantings, as well as tree cuttings. In warm regions, stone fruit trees and fruit and berry bushes (currants, raspberries, blackberries, etc.) are pruned in winter. Also in the winter months, it is quite possible to prune ornamental trees and shrubs. Although there are exceptions.

It is better not to touch lilac, mock orange, forsythia, since they bloom on last year's shoots in spring or early summer. Such species are pruned after they fade.

Harvesting and sowing seeds

In winter, plants are sown (calendula, lavender, poppy), which require cold for normal germination. Moreover, such annuals are usually sown in the fall, but it is still possible in winter if the soil is not frozen.

In warm regions, parsnips, spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, green sprouts and other winter crops are still being harvested.

Repair work in the winter garden

In winter, it can be easier to find time to check the condition garden benches, tables, correct, if necessary, a fence, flower bed or rockery. A useful measure would be to repair a failed garden tools to spring work be fully equipped. Or maybe the gutters and gutters need to be cleaned?

Warm winter quite a good time for the device ornamental pond or additional paths in the garden.

"It's a pity for the bird" - we arrange bird feeders

How are things going in the greenhouses?

Do not forget about perennials wintering in a warmed greenhouse or on the terrace, take a look at how your fuchsias, pelargoniums and other green pets are doing there. In the last stretch of winter, cut their trunks so that side shoots grew more actively and the plants became more magnificent. To speed up the vegetation process, you can move the plants to a place with a warmer temperature regime and better lighting.

Also, periodically it is necessary to monitor how the dug out bulbs and rhizomes of dahlias, cannes, gladioli and other heat-loving plants are stored.

Winter is the time to make plans!

Sitting at home in warmth and comfort and looking out of the window at your winter garden (or remembering it if you are in the city), you may have many good ideas for improving it. In winter, it is good to think over plans in order to start implementing them in the spring. And on occasion, it is worth visiting the garden center and buying everything you need for the site during the winter sale, which usually takes place in January.

Any garden can be imagined as a combination of three components: an ornamental garden, a vegetable garden and an orchard. For each of these components in the winter there is a work plan. So, here's what to do in the garden in winter.

Garden

Make a crop rotation, write a list of necessary seeds. Start gradually acquiring seeds. In the country, inspect all the inventory you have, decide what needs to be repaired, what to replace, and what additional tools you need to purchase. Decide also on the necessary fertilizers, special means for vegetables. Take care of for future seedlings.

All this will need to be bought in advance, without waiting for the country "boom". Arriving at the site, in the garden regularly throw snow on the beds, do the same with the greenhouse. If you have a basement, regularly audit it - how are vegetables and potatoes stored there? Go through them, check how the blanks are saved. Control the temperature and humidity in the basement: in the thaw, be sure to open the ventilation grilles, and in the cold, close and additionally insulate.

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In February, start cooking pepper seeds, eggplant, celery, perennial vegetables and herbs, to plant: sort, warm, soak before sowing, if necessary. At the end of the month, it's time to sow them for seedlings. Those who grow celery should also sow it. Accumulate a variety of "fertilizers": stale bread, sleeping tea, eggshells, potato peelings, expired cereals.

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orchard

While the garden is sleeping, think about what other fruit and berry crops you would like to plant? All this must be taken care of in advance, because at the end of winter there will be many garden fairs where you can buy all this. Arriving at the site, note the air temperature, follow,. If there is not enough snow, throw it on the soil between the trees, in tree trunks. Or you can insulate them with peat, sawdust, spunbond. Just not spruce branches or straw - these materials attract mice. , but better not on fruit trees. Fallen crumbs and seeds will also attract mice to the garden. On fruit trees, it is better to hang pieces of fat for tits. This is best done with wire hooks - the thread may break.

In February, especially severe frosts can occur, but usually at this time there is a lot of snow, so that frosts no longer threaten the root system of plants. Carefully inspect the bark - if there is a freezer somewhere. In the spring they will definitely need to be covered. When arriving at the site after snowfalls, be sure to trample down the snow under the trees - this measure will protect them from the attack of mice, which are especially “activated” in February. At the end of the month, the sun often appears, during the day it is very warm, and at night - severe frosts. Be careful, the bark can get burned, so check if the whitewash on the trunks is intact. If not, then the trunks must be additionally tied with at least thick paper. Trees on the eastern and southeastern sides of the site may be particularly affected. Periodically check how fruits are stored in the basement, sort them out, and if your basement is very dry, put 1-2 buckets of water there.

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decorative garden

And in ornamental garden winter is the traditional time for planning for the next gardening season. Flower beds, rock gardens - this is an element garden design, so it would be best if you schematically "plan" them on paper in advance. For example, what shape and size will your flower beds be and what kind of flowers would you like to plant on them? Don't forget to decorate and alpine slide, And coastline pond, if you have one on the site. Or maybe worth it? Detailed planning will also help you make a list of necessary seeds, planting material, small architectural forms and accessories needed to make your dream come true.

Or maybe your garden needs a makeover? It often happens that in order to accommodate everything you want, there is not enough space. Think about whether there are “reserves” somewhere that are not evident at first glance, discard stereotypes - maybe these very “reserves” can be found in unusual places that you did not even think about. Arriving at the site, be sure to clear the paths and paving from snow: firstly, it will be convenient to move around the garden, and secondly, spring will come to the cleared garden earlier. When clearing paths and pavings, throw snow on plantings of decorative and rare plants, on an alpine hill, but not on the lawn - the lawn does not need excess snow. Be sure to dump snow from so that the branches do not break under the weight of snow. Check if covers or strappings have been torn off from those conifers that are to be covered.

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In February, you will already need to buy flower seeds, and at the end of the month and planting material. Check if all the equipment for working in the flower garden is working, or maybe something needs to be purchased additionally or replaced. Get also fertilizer for flowers. At the end of February, the first crops should already be started: sow perennial flowers, salvia, petunia, lobelia, cineraria and ageratum for seedlings.

Please note: small flower seeds, such as, for example, petunia seeds, need to be sown on the surface of the soil without falling asleep, and only when shoots appear, you can carefully sprinkle them thin layer soil. Do not forget that before germination, any flowers need to be watered abundantly, put the pots in warm place and put plastic bags on top.

In the winter months, activity outside the country house is reduced, it is time to prepare for the many winter holidays. But for real gardeners, there will be enough work in the garden during this period, especially if the weather allows.

Flowers in the winter garden

So, what garden jobs are waiting to be done? If you have plantings of roses, hydrangeas or other flowers in your garden, then you have probably arranged a winter shelter for them. And after a bad weather, it will be very wise to check the condition of these shelters and correct them if necessary.

We clean and cut the plants

Taking advantage of a clear winter day, in the absence of snow cover, why not clean up fallen leaves, trim perennials and eliminate overgrown plants.

If the temperature is still in the positive part of the thermometer, and the earth has not had time to freeze, then nothing prevents the planned transplants and plantings, as well as tree cuttings. In warm regions, stone fruit trees and fruit and berry bushes (currants, raspberries, blackberries, etc.) are pruned in winter. Also in the winter months, it is quite possible to prune ornamental trees and shrubs. Although there are exceptions.

It is better not to touch lilac, mock orange, forsythia, since they bloom on last year's shoots in spring or early summer. Such species are pruned after they fade.

Harvesting and sowing seeds

In winter, plants are sown (calendula, lavender, poppy), which require cold for normal germination. Moreover, such annuals are usually sown in the fall, but it is still possible in winter if the soil is not frozen.

In warm regions, parsnips, spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, green sprouts and other winter crops are still being harvested.

Repair work in the winter garden

In winter, it can be easier to find time to check the condition of garden benches, tables, fix the fence, flower bed or rockery if necessary. A useful measure would be to repair failed garden tools in order to be fully armed for spring work. Or maybe the gutters and gutters need to be cleaned?

Warm winter is not a bad time to arrange an ornamental pond or additional paths in the garden.

"It's a pity for the bird" - we arrange bird feeders

How are things going in the greenhouses?

Do not forget about perennials wintering in a warmed greenhouse or on the terrace, take a look at how your fuchsias, pelargoniums and other green pets are doing there. In the last stretch of winter, trim their trunks so that the side shoots grow more actively and the plants become more magnificent. To speed up the vegetation process, you can move the plants to a place with a warmer temperature regime and better illumination.

Also, periodically it is necessary to monitor how the dug out bulbs and rhizomes of dahlias, cannes, gladioli and other heat-loving plants are stored.

Winter is the time to make plans!

Sitting at home in warmth and comfort and looking out of the window at your winter garden (or remembering it if you are in the city), you may have many good ideas for improving it. In winter, it is good to think over plans in order to start implementing them in the spring. And on occasion, it is worth visiting the garden center and buying everything you need for the site during the winter sale, which usually takes place in January.

With the onset of winter garden trees plunged into a state of absolute rest. But even now, good owners have no time to relax, it's time to do winter work in the garden.

First of all, you need to take care of protecting trees from pests and sunburn. One of the best ways is whitewashing. And do not worry if you did not have time to do this in the fall, trees can be whitewashed in winter.

The only condition is that this can be done at a positive temperature (and in our climate zone this often happens even in the middle of winter).

For whitewashing, lime mortar of increased viscosity is suitable. To prepare it, 2-3 kg of freshly slaked lime or chalk, 100 g of PVA glue and 400-500 g of copper sulfate diluted in hot water. The mixture should be the consistency of thick sour cream, without lumps. Can be purchased and ready solution(in specialized stores), or you can whitewash the trees with acrylic paint - it does not wash off and reflects light well.
In this case, several nuances should be taken into account.

• Firstly, young trees with smooth bark can only be whitewashed with lime mortar, but paint cannot be used, since it will not let air through.
• Secondly, before whitewashing, the trunk must be cleaned - dry bark, moss, lichens with a scraper or a metal brush.

After that, the cracks are covered with garden pitch.

garden var

Prepare it like this: melt 6 parts of paraffin, add 3 parts of crushed rosin and bring the mixture to a boil. Next, add 2 parts of sunflower oil and boil for 10 minutes over low heat. When the var has cooled, knead it and transfer it to a jar with a tight lid.

Another one: take 1 part of rosin and wax and 4 parts of unsalted fat (lard, sunflower oil). Combine everything and, stirring, melt over low heat. The finished mixture can be stored in a jar for more than 10 years.

Trees need to be whitewashed up to a height of 1.5-1.7 m from the ground - and not only the trunk, but also skeletal branches (young trees can only be up to the first branch). The solution should be applied at least two times to form a reliable protective layer: wait for the white to dry a little, and then walk along the trunk again.

Warming of trees and shrubs

In January, especially at night, severe frosts are possible. And one more concern of the gardener is to reliably insulate the plants.

The best material for this is, of course, which, moreover, will provide a good supply of moisture in the spring (ideally, its layer should be at least 40 cm).
Therefore, fruit trees in summer cottages are periodically spudded with snow, at the slightest opportunity - after each snowfall - sprinkle the trees with snow, protecting them from the cold.

In order to accumulate as much snow as possible on the site, they make snow shafts, lay out branches and put up shields.

And in order for the snow embankment to also become protection from pests, you should water it cold water. Then an ice crust is formed, which will protect the bark of trees from mice and hares.

Rodent protection

If this is not possible or watering is laborious enough, then, in order to protect the trees, at least compact the snow around the trunk with your feet.

This technique will prevent mice from getting under the snow to the tree and nibbling the bark on its trunk. They also use naphthalene, mint, tar, creolin - these funds are scattered around the trunk circle.

For guard fruit trees from hares, their boles are coated with a solution of mullein and freshly slaked lime: freshly slaked lime is dissolved in water (so that the mass is 1 kg) and mixed with a bucket of mullein.

Young trees, in which the roots are very vulnerable, are especially in need of a snow coat. And also such frost-resistant crops as plum, cherry, sweet cherry, as well as apple and pear trees on vegetative rootstocks.

To accumulate more snow, cover the trunks of fruit trees with boards, branches, and other materials that will delay it.

Do not forget to sprinkle strawberries, wild strawberries, bushes of red and black currants, raspberries, gooseberries and other berries with snow.

But such a delicate culture as a peach, just drifts of snow will not help. The tree must be overlaid with boards at a distance of 30-50 cm from the trunk, thus forming a box. It is filled with straw, covered with plywood on top, and only then snow is piled up.

Pay attention to the seedlings buried for planting in the spring. It is desirable to cover them especially generously with snow.

And try not to stomp on fresh snow near the seedlings - frost penetrates the roots more easily through compacted snow.

Although snow is worth its weight in gold for a winter garden, it can also cause harm: heavy rainfall often breaks off branches. Therefore, after a good snowfall, the crown must be carefully shaken off. And for small trees skeletal branches should be carefully tied in advance.

In snowless winters, trees are insulated with straw, old rags, reeds, coniferous branches, etc.

Burlap is wound on top, which is fixed with a rope (wire should not be used). The insulation should cover the trunk at least 1.5 m from the ground.

Tree pruning

In winter it is very convenient to carry out the garden. After all, at this time the whole crown is in full view. But just do not forget to carefully process the cut points with garden pitch.

And keep in mind:

the purpose of winter pruning is not so much to form a crown, but to ensure proper sanitary conditions.

At this time, it is advisable to remove dead branches affected by diseases or pests - they cannot be left until spring.

First determine where their nests are.

Take a long stick and screw a strong wire to its end. Fix a ball of cotton wool on it, moisten it with kerosene (gasoline) and carefully set it on fire. Try, while the cotton is burning, burn out all the nests of the pests.

Formative and rejuvenating pruning is best postponed to February-March. But if you still decide to spend them in the first half of winter, it is important that the branches extending from the trunk remain no shorter than 50-60 cm long. And this should be done when severe frosts are not predicted.

Of course, you can not ignore the berry - we have already mentioned this.

Raspberries need special protection. Its stems should be bent so that they are completely under the snow. In the event of a thaw and the formation of an ice crust, carefully shake off the branches so that they do not break.

Shoots and gooseberries should be tied. And all the lower branches need to be cut off. Before severe cold weather, tightly wrap dogwood trees with agrofiber and insulate thoroughly. And if necessary, sprinkle well with fresh snow.

If flower bulbs are in storage, they are sorted out. They treat diseased bulbs, tubers, cutting out diseased areas and sprinkling charcoal on the cuts.

And already in the spring, when your garden turns green and colorful, you will feel satisfaction from the fact that in winter you did not forget about it and did not regret your time and your efforts.

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Winter work in the garden are mandatory, despite the fact that fruit trees and shrubs are in a state of absolute rest. The owners of the plots cannot relax in any way, because the future harvest will depend on the quality and timely work carried out in the winter in the garden.

The effectiveness of whitewashing tree trunks depends on weather conditions, all work must be carried out at a temperature above 0 deg. It is necessary to whitewash with a lime mortar with a high viscosity. There is nothing complicated in cooking. In 10 liters of water we dilute 2.5 (maximum 3) kg of chalk or fresh slaked lime, add 100 grams of PVA glue and a pound of copper sulfate. The vitriol itself is diluted in hot water before adding. The finished mixture should look like thick sour cream, should not contain lumps.

In special stores, ready-made bleaching solution is sold, you can buy it and not think about whether it will be possible to prepare it yourself correctly. You can also whitewash the trunks with acrylic paint, which adheres well to the bark, reflects the sun's rays and is not washed off.

Points to be considered in this work

1. Trees need to be whitewashed only after pre-training trunk. It is necessary to remove the moss, clean the trunk from lichens and dry bark. The best way to do this is with a scraper. If you use a metal brush, you need to be careful and carry out all work carefully so as not to harm the bark of trees.

2. Cannot be used for whitewashing young trees with smooth bark acrylic paint, it is better to use lime mortar.

3. After cleaning, it is necessary to cover all the cracks in the trees with garden pitch.

Preparation of garden pitch

At home, the putty is prepared in two ways, moreover, the self-prepared var is absolutely identical to the one that can be purchased in the store.

1. You need to take unsalted fat or sunflower oil, rosin and wax, in a ratio of 4: 1: 1, combine, put on low heat and heat. Ready putty, prepared in this way, can be stored in a closed container for about 10 years.

2. For 6 parts of pre-melted paraffin, add 3 parts of crushed rosin and continue to heat over low heat until the mixture boils. Then add vegetable oil(2 parts) and boil for 10 minutes over low heat. Now the var must be allowed to cool, after which it should be transferred to a suitable container and tightly sealed.

Rules for whitewashing trees and shrubs

To form good layer, you need to whitewash the trunks 2 times. It is recommended to apply the solution on tree trunks up to a height of 1.5 m from the surface, and skeletal young branches should also be whitewashed with the solution.

Attention!

In winter, shrubs and trees need warm "clothes"

January is a difficult month for trees. Night frosts can damage the root system of plants, leading to their death. Therefore, the main task of the gardener at this time is warming fruit bushes and trees.

The most reliable insulation is snow. It will provide the tree not only protection, but also provide enough moisture after thawing. Ideally, the layer of snow near the tree should not be less than 40 cm. The gardener is obliged to "spud" trees and shrubs with snow after each snowfall. This is the only way to avoid the freezing of plants. Moreover, snow should be collected away from plants so as not to expose their delicate root system.

Hilling with snow is good to carry out in snowy winters. And in mild winters, you need to collect snow: make ramparts, place shields and lay out branches. If there was a snowless winter, the trees can be insulated with old rags, straw, spruce branches, reeds, and burlap can be tied over a rope.

For your information!

Pears and apple trees on vegetative rootstocks, young plums, cherries and cherries need a snow coat. Them root system more vulnerable than old trees, so they primarily need protection from rodents.

A snow coat will not help peach and apricot. Here you need to do it differently. At a distance of 40 centimeters from the trunk, we put boards to make a square, pour straw inside, cover everything with pieces of plywood, and only then pour snow.

Bushes of gooseberries, black and red currants, yellow and red raspberries (article), as well as strawberries, need to be warmed. Landings need to be sprinkled with snow. And you should not constantly stomp near the plantings, while ramming the snow, since it is easier for frost to get to the root system of trees through compacted snow. But heavy snowfalls can also harm the garden. Tree branches can break under the weight of falling snow, so in snowy winters you need to regularly shake the snow off the branches.

Rodent protection in winter

The snow bank can become reliable protection from rodents and pests, if the snow around the tree is poured with cold water. As a result, a crust is formed that will not allow hares and mice to damage the bark of the tree. If it is not possible to pour water under each tree and shrub, you can simply trample the snow with your feet in the near-stem circle. This technique will not allow mice to get to the trunk and gnaw on the bark.

Tar, creolin or mint will help scare away small rodents. The selected agent must be scattered over the surface of the near-stem circle. Grapes bent to the ground in winter will be protected by sawdust. We protect the garden from hares with a solution of slaked lime and mullein. You can cook it like this: in a bucket of mullein, you should dilute 1 kg of lime and coat the trunks.

Pruning garden trees

IN winter time need to cut fruit plants, during which it is necessary to remove all weak branches affected by insects and diseases. After pruning, you need to cover the cut points with garden pitch.

The gypsy moth lays its eggs on twigs. To remove egg clutches, you need to take a pruner and cut their nests right with the branches. You can not leave mummified fruits on the trees, because they are sources of infectious diseases.

Gooseberries and currants are susceptible to such a disease as powdery mildew and glassware. To remove these spores and pests, it is required to pour over the plants hot water, almost boiling water.

Redecoration of furniture and arrangement of an ornamental garden in winter

Winter is a good time to do chores in the garden. During this period, you can repair arches, pergolas, wicker furniture, a fence and touch up flower beds. In your free time, it is recommended to make props that will be needed to support the branches of apple and pear trees.

Need to equip garden paths, build a rockery or rock garden. In dry warm weather, you can equip a dry stream or a decorative pond.

In winter, you need to take care of the birds and make feeders for them. It is necessary to help them to spend the winter, because birds rarely manage to find food for themselves under a layer of snow. Feathered friends will destroy pests in the garden as a token of gratitude.

And, most importantly, that winter is free time, there is an opportunity to make work plans (put them on paper) for the new season, so that with the first drop and on sunny days you can start implementing them.

With the advent of spring, when and, you will feel satisfaction from the fact that it’s not in vain in winter period Efforts were made and a lot of personal time was devoted to tending the garden. In response to concern orchard will reward the owners with a generous harvest, and in the ornamental garden you can enjoy bright colors flowering plants.

Although winter has come, and there are fewer worries in summer cottages, nevertheless, even in winter, a carefree life is not expected. Worries do not recede to the full extent, and therefore take care of your own suburban area needed even in winter. Today we will talk about what kind of winter work in the garden is needed to maintain it in proper condition, and about all the work that is needed at this time. When planning a work plan for yourself, you should rely on climatic conditions your region.

Often, the second half of December for many passes under the sign of preparation for new year holidays, but the first half of the month can be safely devoted to work in the country.

Completion of cleaning

In the southern regions, cleaning is completed in December winter views vegetables: parsnips, lettuce, spinach, green and Brussels sprouts, broccoli, leeks.

Snow retention

Usually the first snow falls in December, and from that moment work begins to arrest it. To do this, fences are constructed from improvised materials in the garden in the necessary places.

Frost protection

If there is no snow or there is little of it, then you should cover perennial and winter crops with leaves, sawdust or needles.

As mentioned above, all work must be carried out in accordance with local climatic conditions.

Planting seedlings

So, for example, in the south of Russia in December, you can plant seedlings of trees and shrubs, prepare the soil for a garden, engage in various winter plantings and much more.

Podzimny sowing

In December, if the weather permits, you can start planting winter garlic and onion winter sowing carrots, celery, parsnips, parsley, dill, as well as sowing flower plants.

bird protection

All these plantings and crops need protection from birds that find food on these beds when there is no snow.

Rodent control

Perennial vegetable crops are attacked by rodents in winter, so in December (while there is no snow), poisoned baits can be spread in holes and around them.

Fighting bears

December good time for. They love to spend the winter in warm manure, so you should arrange traps for them in the garden. Traps are small but deep holes. They are filled with manure, and when good frosts come, it is scattered around the garden in a thin layer along with the bears that have accumulated there. Frost will destroy them.

Preparation of soil mixtures

In December, you can stock up on various components of soil mixtures (peat, sand, sawdust, compost, soil, and others). This is beneficial, since at this time the price of them is low.

seedlings

In addition, in December, you can start purchasing seedlings, cuttings (if there are conditions for their storage).

Disinfection

December is a great time to repair the disinfection of greenhouses and greenhouses, which are used for growing greens and early vegetables in the middle of winter.

Repair

In addition to greenhouses, greenhouse frames are in need of repair. All garden equipment needs a routine inspection, and if necessary, repairs.

Seed harvesting

At this time, you can calmly, without haste, purchase the necessary seeds for the garden and garden.

Checking vegetables

In December, they begin to check the stored potatoes and other vegetables.

Warming

If necessary, measures should be taken to insulate the storage.

pruning

Winter work in the garden involves mandatory pruning of fruit trees. ornamental trees and shrubs, as spring pruning adversely affects their flowering, because many plants bloom on last year's shoots.

Therefore, if you did not prune immediately after flowering, then do it at least in December. In addition, in December you can dream and draw up on next year plan for placing vegetables in the garden and flowers in the garden.

January

Repair

In January, you can continue repairing greenhouse frames and garden tools, as well as knitting straw mats.

Manure harvesting

You can do the harvesting of manure, garbage for the construction of warm greenhouses, for insulated and open ground.

Checking vegetables

In January, just like in December, they continue to check the safety of stored vegetables, vegetable seeds, and seed potatoes. If rotten tubers or root crops are found, they should be removed immediately.

If there is a lack of seed potatoes, then you need to prepare the tops of the potato tubers.

Checking perennials

In addition to vegetables, tubers and rhizomes of such perennials as gladioli, dahlias, cannes, begonias, chrysanthemums, non-hardy roses and hydrangeas need to be looked after. It is necessary to monitor the humidity and temperature in the room where they are stored (so that they do not rot and dry out).

Sowing annuals

January is a good time for sowing seeds of annuals (petunias, carnations, lobelia, etc.). By May, you can get well-developed and flowering plants, which are ready for landing immediately in open ground.

Ash preparation

Winter time is convenient for harvesting ash, bird droppings and other fertilizers of local origin.

seeds

At the same time, you can purchase seeds of flowers and vegetables without haste, and clean those that you have grown in your dacha from garbage. And, of course, you can safely check the germination of seeds.

We grow greens

In January, you can start growing onions for feathers in your windows, as well as beetroot and parsley.

Vernalization

If you live in the south, then it's time to start vernalizing early cabbage and cauliflower seeds.

February

Chemistry and fertilizers

In February, you can already take care of mineral fertilizers and pesticides that allow you to fight diseases and various pests of vegetable and horticultural crops. In parallel with this, the repair of greenhouses and greenhouses continues.

We save the testes

Throughout the winter, great attention should be paid to the seed plants of carrots, beets, cabbage and other vegetable crops. It is necessary to monitor their safety and remove spoiled copies in time.

Biofuel heating

In February, it is already possible to start work on heating the biofuel and removing organic fertilizers to the garden.

Making pots

It will not be superfluous to make peat and humus manure pots and nutrient cubes.

Vernalization

In southern Russia, potato tubers begin to vernalize in February (in order to grow early potatoes), seeds of carrots, onions.

Sowing seedlings

It is already possible to sow seeds of early and cauliflower, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants for seedlings in a greenhouse or in sowing boxes, sow radishes and plant onions on a feather. And of course, to continue everything that was started and not done at the dacha and in the garden in previous months.

In general, February makes everyone live in anticipation of the arrival of spring and new pleasant spring chores in their summer cottage. He makes you shake off the winter numbness and actively engage in the usual and pleasant garden chores.

The winter months are the busiest when it comes to gardening. No need to water, fertilize, dig, etc. - the garden sleeps in winter. And the only thing left for us is not to disturb his peace and protect green spaces from severe frosts and rodents.

December - January

First, I would like to remind you of our smaller brothers - birds. With the onset of winter, a difficult, "hungry" period begins for them. Build bird feeders and hang them from trees or other suitable places.

By doing this, you will not only save them from starvation, but also accustom them to your site. And when it gets warmer, they will serve you well by eating insects, including plant pests.

Trees and shrubs

Let's start with pests. Inspect carefully the branches of trees - in the forks and near the buds, cobweb cocoons of leaves could remain, in which pests hibernate. They must be removed.
The following pests are not so easy to find and eliminate - these are rodents. In winter, they can gnaw the roots and eat around the bark at the base of the trunks, leaving traces in the form of "ringing".

To protect the boles from rodents before the onset of persistent frosts, at their base they make a strapping of matting or burlap and tightly cover the top with roofing paper. The lower edge of the roofing is sprinkled with earth or the spruce branches are laid on top with the needles down. Young seedlings are covered from rodents with a plastic mesh.

It is also necessary to cover trees and shrubs with snow to protect their roots from severe frosts. Throw off all the snow that will be collected after cleaning the paths and paths near the trunks.
But don't leave him like that. Snow lying around bushes and on tree trunks must be trampled down. Trample the snow after every snowfall. This is one more effective remedy from rodents. Under such snow, mice will not be able to break through their tunnels and get close to the trunks.

After prolonged snowfalls, the branches of bushes and trees should be shaken off the snow, because. under its weight, they can break.

flower beds

Winter care for flower beds is practically no different from caring for trees and shrubs. Wintering roses, bulbous, perennials also need hilling with snow. And the thicker the layer of snow, the warmer they are.

As for rodents, they love not only the bark of young trees and branches of shrubs. They do not hesitate and flower crops. For example, the common vole and water rat damage root collars roses and rhizomes of irises. To protect wintering plants, it is also recommended to trample snow between the ridges and around flower beds.

Lawn

Garden care in winter also includes lawn care, although many people forget about it. Lawn care is not difficult, the most important rule is to reduce the load, i.e. it is advisable not to walk on it. In the absence of loads lawn grasses well tolerated low temperature and other adverse environmental conditions.

If in winter the lawn will be subjected to intense loads, then in the spring the appearance of bald spots cannot be avoided. And this entails the subsequent repair of the lawn, because. natural recovery can take a long time.

The only exception when you can not be afraid to step on the lawn is a thick snow cover at least 20 cm high. Then you can play with children on it, and even go skiing.

Sometimes in the middle of winter there are also short-term thaws, after which the surface of the snow cover is covered with an ice crust. This crust hinders the air exchange of grasses wintering under the snow, so it must be destroyed with a rake or in some other way.

February

Winter is already coming to naught, although in February there are still heavy snowfalls and frosts. This month, they continue to carry out care activities that began in December-January, but as the weather warms up, new tasks appear.

Trees and shrubs

In February, the sun begins to warm more strongly and the sun's rays, reflected from the snow-white surface, can cause burns to the bark of trees.

In addition, the difference between daytime (under direct sunlight) and night temperatures increases, as a result of which frost cracks may appear on the bark. They often become foci of infection, therefore, in order to prevent the appearance of frost cracks, during thaw days, you should whiten the bark or simply renew the autumn whitewash.

You should also protect yourself from sunburn. coniferous plants, for example, covering them with lutrasil. This is a non-woven synthetic material specially designed to protect plants from frost and burns.

At the end of February, if the weather is warm enough, it will be possible to free tree trunks from protective materials: strapping, films, roofing felts, roofing material, etc. If you leave them for a long time in warm weather, this can lead to overheating of the barrels.

flower beds

Those plants that you have wintered under shelter, for example, roses, keria, it is advisable to ventilate during thaw days so that they do not rot.

And February is a good time for:

If you did not have time to purchase planting material before February, then now is the time, do not delay it until spring.

Lawn

In February, the same rules apply to lawn care as in previous months: protection from stress and timely destruction of the ice crust.

As you can see, winter work in the garden also requires the owner of the site to allocate sufficient time, although the winter months are considered the easiest in this regard.

In conclusion, I would like to recall such important tasks as the advance purchase of garden tools and the repair of garden equipment. Then, with the onset of the planting season, you will avoid unnecessary fuss and hassle.

What to do in the winter in the country? Of course, breathe fresh frosty air, admire the winter landscape, fry sausages and marshmallows in the fireplace!

But for an avid summer resident, this is not enough. Since we managed to get to the site, it is necessary to do something useful. A lot of things to do even in winter.

A caring gardener has prepared the site for wintering since autumn: he threw large branches of fruit trees and shoots berry bushes after pruning for beds.

Coniferous branches are carefully laid out over strawberries and strawberries: spruce branches will hold snow, protect from rodents, and subsequently the needles will slightly become a good fertilizer for berry crops.

In this simple way, many generations of summer residents keep snow on the ground so that winter plantings in frosts are warm, and in spring the soil is saturated with life-giving moisture.

If in the fall the hands did not reach this point, then it's time to take up snow retention measures at the beginning of winter - you can still have time.

And again, the gardener's favorite tool is a shovel, only now it is snow.

Starting straight from the gate to clean the paths (not to carry sausages through the snowdrifts to the fireplace), the zealous owner throws him off not anyhow, but with benefit: to beds with winter garlic, to flower beds with roses, under raspberry and currant bushes.

The most extreme winter sport of a summer resident is.

If the greenhouses are non-separable, then there is always a threat: in the thaw, the snow gets wet, becomes heavy and pushes through glass and carbonate. Therefore, a good warm-up several times in the winter is provided.

And if you are not too lazy and throw snow into the greenhouses, then next summer cucumbers and tomatoes will be much more comfortable indoors.

After all, there is no moisture more useful than melt water for the soil.

Winter Garden

Fruit trees, especially very young ones, have a hard time in winter: frosts, rodents, hares.

If the winter began with frost, but without snow, stone fruit crops can freeze out, no matter how you throw snow on them later. Therefore, with the threat of such a winter, you need to take care of the garden into your own hands, and not rely on nature.

Before it's too late, wrap tree trunks with nylon to protect the bark from hungry hares and mice. Throw spruce branches on top to make it at least a little warmer.

If you are lucky with the winter and there is snow, then in terms of the gardener there are other activities:

1. Shake off the snow from the branches of the trees so that they do not break under the weight.
2. Trample the snow around the trunks of apple trees: these fruit trees wake up a little later than most stone fruits, and the trampled snow melts longer and keeps the soil temperature low. If the snow around the apple tree is trampled down during the winter, then the period of awakening of the tree will just come at the time of the abundant saturation of the earth in the near-trunk circle with melt water.
3. Throw more loose soft snow under other fruit trees: pear, cherry, apricot, sweet cherry. They bloom very early - it is not recommended to trample down the snow under them, because the dense layers of snow melt longer and do not let heat to the roots. And for felt cherries, snow compaction can be detrimental for one more reason: high humidity as a result of long snowmelt, it can cause the root neck to rot.
4. Insect pest control in winter is just beginning. It's no secret that birds in spring and summer help to cope with the invasion. various insects, their larvae. By feeding the birds at their most difficult time, you can find loyal allies in the midst of the summer season. Therefore, the installation of birdhouses and several feeders on fruit trees is also a mandatory item for winter gardening.

But it is worth remembering that millet and black bread are poorly digested by birds, they can even harm digestion. Unroasted and unsalted seeds, dried crumbs of white bread, rowan berries are poured into the feeders.

Some gardeners go for such a trick: they tie thin plastics of unsalted fat, a favorite delicacy of tits, to the trunks of fruit trees.

Or they coat the bark with a little flooded unsalted fat. This is done so that the tits, starting to peck the fat from the trunks, at the same time clean the bark from the pests wintering in it.

A simple way, as they say, is to kill two birds with one stone. Or rather, to scare away long-eared hunters to gnaw on the bark of young trees, since hares do not tolerate fat in the spirit.

Therefore, fat helps us twice: for tits and against hares.

Preparing for the new season

In the autumn park, when it is necessary to have time to harvest and attach the harvest, and wind up the blanks, freeze, and dig up the site, fertilize, and cut the trees and bushes and prepare for winter ... and redo a whole bunch of things, it’s not always possible to stop, take a calm look plot and dream about the next season - where what will grow.

And now, having swung a shovel and eating hot sausages with smoke, it's time to plan: the site is naked and all in the palm of your hand.

Where will they be placed next spring with pumpkins, what will grow on the potato plot, in which greenhouse which crop to attach ... The main thing in dreams is not to leave the ground: crop rotation is first of all!

When going back, we must not forget to check the supplies: what is useful for the earth in the lockers, and what is time to buy more. Fertilizers, dressings, green manure, garden var…

It is also better not to postpone the inspection of garden tools until spring - then there will simply be no time. Something needs to be sharpened, somewhere the cuttings need to be changed, and it’s time to update something.

Everything is checked and counted - it's time to go back to the city, to the gardening stores, whose employees are already sorting packages with seeds.

- the most shopping month, because in February the sowing begins: eggplants, peppers, petunias ...

And it all started anew - a gardening whirlwind, without which the summer resident and life is not a joy.

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There is enough work in the garden and garden for all year round. Beginning gardeners mistakenly believe that after harvesting and preparing crops for wintering, it is time to rest until spring. This is not true. There is enough work in the garden, and although the work schedule is not as intense as in spring or summer, nevertheless, neglecting this work threatens to disrupt plans and rush during the period active season. The timeliness of the work in the garden is the key to a successful start of the season and its productive end. What winter work cannot be postponed until spring, we will figure it out in today's article.

Winter work in the garden

I'll start my step by step instructions from winter work in the garden. The amount of work depends on what kind of winter it was this year. But in any case - the first month of winter is not at all stable, then hard frost, then a slight thaw, snowfall is replaced by slush. In the rainy wet beginning of winter, throw all your efforts into keeping the plants warm.

• Snow on the site. When winter has fully come into its own, take care of the optimal distribution of snow. On the beds in the garden, fruit crops and perennials will be happy with snow, while on the paths for moving around the site, snow is definitely superfluous. Clear the snow from the paths, freeing up movement around the site for family members, and scatter the resulting snowdrifts over the beds, tree trunks of fruit trees and shrubs. You can gently and not strongly trample the snow, especially around trees and shrubs, this method will help keep moisture underground. long time, as well as protect the horse system of plants from hypothermia.
• It will not be superfluous to compact the snow along the fence, along the perimeter of the site. This method will protect the site from the attack of hares and field mice.

• Before snow falls, strengthen the position of the branches of fruit trees with supports. Under the weight of the snow cover, the branches get injured, this can only be avoided by timely care.
• If the tree breaks, evaluate the scale of the breakage of the shoot, the method of treating the tree depends on its severity. Garden pitch will cope with small wounds, deeper wounds already need to be treated with a solution of copper sulphate, and then poured with cement. If there is a split of large skeletal branches, pull them together and fix them with twine or staples.
• Check trees in your garden regularly for pests. If traces of insect activity are found, cut off the shoots with a sharp knife, treat with garden pitch.

• Protection from insect attacks on fruit trees will be their craft. To prepare a whitewash solution, you will need water, chalk ( slaked lime), PVA glue and blue vitriol. In 10 liters of water, dilute 3 kg of chalk or lime, in a separate container, combine copper sulfate (0.5 kg) with warm water. Add 100 g of glue to the solution, combine both liquids. Proper whitewashing should have the consistency of sour cream. Whitewashing of fruit trees is carried out in two stages, the second time after the first has completely dried.
• For all the winter work in the garden, do not forget about yourself. Winter is the time to use the accumulated harvest of berries in the creation of healthy, immune-boosting drinks. If you miss working in the ground, plant citrus crops at home, they will easily and without delay take root in home pot if the right conditions are created for them.

Winter work in the greenhouse

Since the greenhouse is not only a large structure on the site, but also small containers installed on the windowsills of each gardener, work in these greenhouses will also be discussed.

• The beginning of winter is the time to prepare containers for planting seedlings. With a large area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe site, a lot of space will be required, window sills will not be enough. Extend the window sill by fixing the strong plywood to the window sill with wood screws.
• Take care of the preparation of containers for planting seedlings in advance, too, since a large volume will require many containers. Place plastic five-liter water bottles on their side, cut off one third of the height of the bottle with sharp scissors. Remember to poke drainage holes in the bottom of the container with an awl. If you use tetrapak bags as containers, keep juice bags for yourself, milk bags are dangerous for planting.
• We are moving into full-fledged greenhouses, in which there is also a lot of work in winter. Winter work in the greenhouse begins with her and the replacement of the soil. To save time, you can start the procedures in the fall, when the harvest is harvested and the main work is stopped.

• Inspect the windows of the greenhouse, if there are breakages, cracks and departure of the shutters from the profile, the problem must be fixed. The most practical way is to dissolve the paraffin, and cover the broken place with it using a syringe. However, there are many ways that differ in price and labor, you can always choose one that suits you.
• When the greenhouse is ready for the new season, start planting early-ripening crops. It is worth noting that this item is possible only in heated greenhouses, while in the rest, planting will have to be postponed until the beginning of spring. Among the early ripe crops, several varieties of cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplants, onion, but remember that even if the greenhouse is warm, this does not mean that there is enough light there. Use supplemental light.

Winter work in the flower garden

In the flower garden, whether it is a flower bed on the site or a greenhouse in the house, work is also in full swing without a break for the winter. Winter work in the flower garden includes:

• Planting annual flowers. The advantage of planting them in winter is the ability to use any seeds, even those that are expiring. The disadvantage is that not every crop can be planted before winter. Only frost-resistant flowers can be planted before winter in a flower garden. There is no need to dig up the ground to plant seeds. Lightly compact the snow, make small depressions in the snow, into which pour the seeds. Top with dry and warm soil, and complete the planting with a layer of snow.
• Increase in daylight hours. In winter, the plants in the home flower garden are sorely lacking in daylight. You can determine this by the plant itself: the leaves and shoots become lethargic, reaching for the window. You should not drag out the situation and wait for the disease of the flowers, install and connect the phytolamp, a huge assortment of which you will find in any flower shop. Be careful when watering, turn off the lamp while spraying flowers: water on the glass flask is fraught with an explosion and failure of the lamp.

• Washing indoor plants. In winter, indoor air is usually too dry, in addition, at home, dust accumulates on the leaves of plants, which negatively affects the growth and development of the crop. To help the flowers during this period, have a clean day every two weeks. Gently wipe dense leaves of large flowers with a damp cloth, while plants with small leaves just put in the bath under the shower. Just be sure to check weak pressure water and a temperature of at least 30 degrees. To avoid disease, wait for the flowers to dry before returning the plant to its place.

• Plant nutrition. Annual crops only planted in winter are in a passive phase, and perennials Most of the time I hibernate in the winter. Therefore, fertilizing the soil is not welcome at this time of the year. However, the use of, for example, finely crushed eggshell performs two tasks at the same time: saturation of the soil with calcium and magnesium, as well as repelling pests from the beds. Infusion from onion peel, applied to the plant by spraying, protects perennials from attack spider mite. A day after treatment, wipe the leaves of the plant with a damp cloth, or rinse the flower under warm water.

This article clearly proves the fact that the presence of cold and a thick layer of snow on the site is not a reason for rest. There is enough work in the garden and garden in winter, and postponing them to March will lead to excessive workload in the spring.