All you have to do is wait a few weeks and gardening enthusiasts will finally be able to indulge in their favorite activity or hobby. However, a few things will need to be done to properly prepare the ground.
Cold and frost, especially if snow has fallen heavily, in most cases cause damage to plants, particularly roots and branches. Grasses, perennials, aquatics, vegetables, trees and shrubs or hedges... None are spared. That is why it is necessary to start taking care of the plants that have suffered the most during the winter.
When the ground freezes, plants often dislodge from the soil and reveal their roots. Being very careful not to pull them out, cut off all the dead roots to allow the plants to recover as soon as the good weather arrives. Cover the feet of the plants that are the most affected with winter veil or straw. Also cut the stems softened by the cold, except for the varieties which flower in early spring.
This is also the time to prune the trees by clearing them of dead and rotting branches. Do the same also with the hedges. Here the objective is to lighten them and make them less lush and bushy to let the first rays of the sun penetrate. Take the opportunity to take care of the roses, fruit trees and vines.
Once you have taken care of all the plants in your garden, you can prepare the soil. To do this, whether for a bed or a vegetable patch, remove the weeds. And as soon as the ground begins to thaw, gently dig, hoe and rake the soil to aerate it and gradually drive out the humidity.
By these gestures, you also warm up the surfaces to be cultivated, thus making the next plantings and sowings easier. Then, using a rake, remove the stones and the remains of roots and branches lying on your beds. If you have poor and infertile soil, enrich the soil with a contribution of natural fertilizer, compost and potting soil. This is all the more recommended if you plan to grow particularly demanding plants and vegetables.
But did you know that many varieties of flowers can already be planted during this period, to name only tulips, narcissi and crocuses? These will be the first to bloom beautifully in the spring. Moreover, this time of year is also the right time to plant certain shrubs, especially those that belong to the conifer family. Finally, for vegetables, you can already start some under cover but it is better to wait until the risk of frost is over.
