Should you dig a garden in the fall: what are the pros and cons

Gardeners are traditionally divided into two camps: some dig up their beds in the fall, while others see no particular need for this. The obvious advantages include improved air circulation in the topsoil and the need for fertilization. The snow will saturate the beds with moisture faster, and in the spring it will be much easier to carry out preparatory work before planting.

However, experts say that sometimes digging can only do harm. OBOZ.UA figured out when to dig a garden in the fall.

When to dig up the soil

In most cases, you still need to dig a garden in the fall. And it should be done to the depth of a thin fertile layer. This will allow air to penetrate the soil, which is necessary for microorganisms that process plant residues.

Digging will also be required to embed sod, manure, and lime. It is also worth mentioning the need to remove some weeds.

Heavy clayey soddy-podzolic and gray forest soils need to be dug up twice because minimal surface tillage on such lands will not bring any benefit.

During the digging process, you can add fertilizers or deoxidize the soil, which will increase the effect of the procedures several times.

Also, digging should be done taking into account the peculiarities of the soil composition. Once on the surface, pests and their larvae, pathogenic bacteria, and other organisms quickly die from cold and wind.

Another advantage is that the soil thus becomes more loose, water- and air-permeable, so it warms up faster in spring.

When not to dig a garden

In fact, it all depends on the type of soil on the site and weather conditions. Pay attention to the features of the garden. If the fertile layer is not too large, there is a risk of turning clay, sand, or podzolic infertile soil to the surface. If it mixes with the cultivated top layer, there is a risk of reduced fertility. You will have to apply additional fertilizers. So in this case, deep loosening of the bed will be sufficient.

If the bed is dry and the soil is not overgrown with weeds, you can also do without digging, just remove the plant debris and loosen the top layer. This way, you will provide air access for beneficial microorganisms, and the soil structure will not be disturbed.

In the process of loosening, air circulation increases dramatically, and moisture begins to condense faster from the autumn morning fog. For example, on sandy soils and good black soil, you don't even need to work with a shovel - it will be enough to loosen the bed with a rake.

It should also be noted that digging brings to the surface not only harmful microorganisms but also beneficial ones, those that help the soil retain its fertility.

How to dig a garden

Digging is best done by late October or early November, depending on the weather. The main thing is that the soil does not freeze with the first frost.

Determine in advance what crops you will plant in the garden next year. Depending on this, you should choose the depth of digging:

• 25-30 cm (or the bayonet of a shovel) is enough for potatoes, beets, carrots, pumpkin, melon and parsley;
• 5-10 cm is enough for tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, radishes and legumes.

It is better not to turn the soil layers over, but simply to shift them among themselves to preserve as much beneficial microflora as possible.

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