You should now avoid five garden mistakes before winter

Created: 07.10.2022, 18:30

By: Victoria Krumbeck

Before winter comes, there are still a few precautions to be taken in the garden.

We tell you what you should definitely pay attention to. 

The lawn is losing its bright green colour, the leaves in the garden are multiplying and the flowers are slowly wilting.

There's no denying it any longer - autumn is here.

So that the garden is fit for the next spring and summer, hobby gardeners should take a few precautions before winter.

Leaves should not simply be disposed of, as they can be used in many ways in autumn and winter and can offer some creatures a home, as reported by Merkur.de.

Garden care in the fall: what to look out for before winter

So that the plants make it through the winter well, you should fertilize the garden one last time with autumn fertilizer.

“Potassium-enhanced fertilization is important here.

This increases the frost resistance of the plants," says Thomas Kirsch, horticultural engineer and managing director of the Federal Association of Retail

.

A woman rakes leaves in the garden.

© Annika List/IMAGO

The lawn should also be treated with the fertilizer and mowed one last time.

This must not be cut too short, otherwise it is more susceptible to frost.

The expert advises a height of about four centimeters.

Raking the lawn is also important.

Because if there are too many leaves on it, the lawn can rot and suffocate.

The

(Nabu) recommends leaving the leaves in the garden in the form of a leaf pile or in a leaf corner.

Because for hedgehogs, insects and other animals, the pile of leaves can offer a safe place for the winter.

In addition, the leaves are converted into humus by the living creatures, which means that the nutrients remain in the garden.

You should still look closely at the foliage.

“The foliage must not be affected by disease.

If that's the case, the leaves don't belong in the garden, but should be disposed of with household waste," says Thomas Kirsch.

This also applies to street leaves, as they can be full of pollutants.

Proper garden care before winter: dried fruits must be removed

Before it gets really cold, the last fruits should be harvested and processed.

Dried fruits - also called fruit mummies - should also be removed from the bushes and trees.

Because if they are left hanging, pathogens can infect new and fresh fruit next year.

Fallen fruit should also be removed from the ground.

This can attract pests that can also damage the lawn.

Autumn in the garden: 10 jobs to do before winter

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The pond should also be given some attention before winter.

This should be protected from leaves.

If there are already leaves in the pond, these should be removed.

Because if the leaves stay in there, the organic matter could form sludge.

This can have a negative impact on the pond, as the expert explains.

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The garden tools should not be forgotten when preparing for the winter.

They should be cleaned and disinfected if necessary.

The greenhouse is another item on the garden to-do list.

This should definitely be winterized.

Sensitive plants can overwinter there.

Preparations for the winter: Certain plants can be planted

Anyone who thinks that plants can only be planted in spring is wrong.

“In autumn you can plant shrubs, trees, shrubs.

Here, bare-root plants are also suitable,” explains the expert.

In this way, flower bulbs and spring flowering bulbs can also be used for the following year.

This gives the plants time to get used to the new environment.

Perennials are also suitable for planting in autumn.

Hobby gardeners should be careful when cutting.

"Very important: hedges and shrubs may only be cut from October 1st.

This serves to protect birds, since the animals nest there over the summer and raise their offspring," explains the expert.