Hey everyone! I'm wrapping up my first veggie gardening season and I'm curious about caring for my soil over the winter. I've grown tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers in Greenstalks, and now I'm looking for advice on how to store that soil for next year. I know I need to amend it before spring, but I'm wondering about the best ways to keep it over the winter, especially since I want to empty out some grow bags too. Any tips or solutions you have would be really helpful. Thanks in advance!
3 Answers
I say let nature do its thing! I've planted some frost-hardy varieties like berries and garlic and just let everything else be. In my experience, digging in leftover plant growth helps decompose and enrich the soil for spring, so try not to throw anything away!
I get where you're coming from! It’s smart to keep your soil since buying new can get pricey. Just a heads up—some pests can overwinter in the soil, so keep an eye out for that. I’ve had issues with pests too, and I've read about composting the unwanted bits to help keep your soil healthy!
It sounds like you’ve had a productive year! For winter, I usually leave my soil where it is, just cover the pots that could freeze. I only amend my soil in spring unless I'm adding manure to my in-ground beds in the fall to let it decompose over winter. Since you have Greenstalks, those should be fine outside as long as they don’t freeze. Combining your soil sounds like a good idea for next year, though your husband might need some convincing!
Yeah, if they break, that's just more hassle! Maybe you can make a space in the garage just for them for the winter?