Winter activity in the soil
We think of winter as a time of resting, inactivity and planning for spring in the garden. Animals are hibernating, the leaves have fallen from the trees and bulbs are dormant in the ground. However, the microbes in our soil are still hard at work in the winter months.
Soil is home to the most diverse group of organisms on earth. Microscopic species including insects, bacteria and fungi all live in the soil. Fungi have a particularly important role decomposing organic matter, sourcing nutrients and helping to suppress disease in plants.
Soil research findings indicate that winter is much the same for fungi as it is the other times of the year. The colder temperatures do slow the amount of decomposition, however the types of fungi and their respective activity in the soil remains much the same throughout all four seasons of the year. Fungi numbers and varieties in the soil change at different times depending on water and available nutrients but the cold temperatures of winter do not impact this change. As such, winter is not a time of inactivity for soil fungi if the required water and nutrients are available. (1)
Winter gardening activities above ground
Not to be outdone by our soil inhabiting life forms, there are several winter gardening activities that we humans can do to keep busy during the cold and snowy months of many parts of the northern hemisphere.
Protecting our garden plants and soil during the cold, stormy weather of winter is very important. In parts of the world where snowfall is plentiful, a thick blanket of snow can provide insulation against the cold temperatures.
However, you should mulch your beds well ahead of the freezing winter temperatures to ensure extra protection before the snow falls. Mulching can continue throughout winter if snowfall is not reliable in your area or rarely occurs at all. A thick layer of mulch around the base of your plants such as leaves, straw, hay, newspaper, wood chips, wool, or any other insulating material is beneficial for both protection from the cold as well as adding organic matter to the soil.
Vegetable gardens should be mulched well before any frost is predicted. Intense cold can damage roots and tubers. Carrots that freeze often turn to mush when thawed, and the starch in potatoes converts to sugar resulting in an unpleasant flavour.
Container plants require additional protection because they are exposed to freezing temperatures from all sides. In the soil, roots are protected from frost by the thick winter mulch and snow. To compensate, wrap containers in multiple layers of bubble wrap or heel them in. This means burying them in bark mulch, leaf mulch, or even directly in the soil for optimal protection. Tucking them close to the foundation of the house and under the eaves can also provide extra warmth and protection.
If you are using hoop houses to shield your plants from harsh weather and live in an area that will expect snow, you will want to ensure your hoop house can withstand the snow load. Putting in some temporary support posts can save your greenhouse from collapsing.
While plants lie dormant in winter, it’s a good time for gardeners to reflect and plan for next spring. Researching exciting ideas you might like to try and making note of things you would do differently this year. An enjoyable indoor pastime in the chilly months of winter is sharing both ideas and saved seeds for next year’s planting over a hot cup of tea with fellow gardeners. Thumbing through seed catalogues is an excellent way to spark inspiration.
Turning our green thumbs to indoor growing projects such as sprouting, hydroponics or growing greens in a sunny window are ways to enjoy delicious home-grown food even in the colder months.
Starting seeds early indoors, gives us a head start on the growing season while waiting for the last frost to pass. Remember to consider the growing zone and harvest time when deciding whether the seeds should be started indoors or better left for outdoors in the spring.
Another excellent way to pass the quiet months of winter is to further your learning. Gaia College offers several courses that will help you expand your ecological knowledge and create an abundant spring and summer garden. Check out our Growing Food course to deepen your knowledge of growing organic food, or our foundational course, Organic Master Gardener, to better understand soil health and the building blocks of your garden.
Written by Ann Moolin
References:
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Carrino-Kyker, Sarah. (1,Dec. 2023) Soils Under Snow Still Carry On. Holden Forests and Gardens. Get Growing Blog.https://holdenfg.org/blog/soils-under-snow-still-carry-on/