The garden doesn't "rest" completely during winter; even though plants enter dormancy, they remain susceptible to cold, humidity, pests, or improper care practices. Avoiding common mistakes in the cold season can make the difference between a healthy garden in spring and one that requires extensive repair and regeneration.
One of the most frequent pitfalls is neglecting soil preparation before winter. If the soil isn't loosened and enriched with organic matter before frost, poor drainage can lead to waterlogging and root rot.
Mixing compost and aerating the soil in autumn promotes a structure that allows water to drain and air to circulate, thus protecting plant roots when the soil freezes and thaws.
Another essential aspect is proper mulching. Organic mulch — dried leaves, straw, or compost — acts as a natural blanket. This insulation maintains a more stable soil temperature and reduces the "frost heaving" effect, which is the lifting of plants from the ground due to alternating freezing and thawing.
Mulch applied too late or insufficiently leaves roots vulnerable to extreme temperatures.
Pest and disease control doesn't take a break in winter. Birds, small insects, and rodents seek shelter and can affect plants or stored bulbs. Regularly inspecting the garden during the cold months and removing diseased or infested plant debris reduces the risk of these problems persisting until spring.
Another crucial point is watering plants — but correctly and seasonally adapted. A typical mistake is either continuing the summer watering schedule or completely stopping water with decreasing temperatures. Plants — especially evergreens — lose moisture through their leaves even in winter, and completely dry soil during cold snaps can affect roots.
