How to “fix” depleted and too heavy soil: here’s what you need to plant in your dacha in the fall

07.09.2024 03:30
Updated: 27.09.2024 21:06

By the end of the summer season the soil becomes depleted.

And this can be explained very simply: while crops were growing on the plots, the soil cover experienced enormous stress.

The soil lost useful elements and became less fertile.

In addition, the ground could become too dense and heavy.

How can we restore fertility and looseness to the soil? The answer is simple: we need to sow some green manure.

soil
Photo: © Belnovosti

What to do before sowing green manure

Before planting “green fertilizer” into depleted soil, it is advisable to add some organic matter during digging.

The ideal option is compost: 20-30 kilos of this fertilizer should be applied per square meter.

An alternative option is humus. The proportions are the same.

What to plant on the plot in autumn

After completing the procedure described in the previous section, you need to sow the green manure.

Which one exactly? The answer to this question depends on the plant that is planned to be planted in a particular place in the next summer cottage season.

If a gardener plans to start growing melons or nightshades on the selected plot, then it is worth sowing lupine.

But rapeseed will be the ideal predecessor for root crops.

It is worth emphasizing that both lupine and rapeseed not only help to replenish the deficiency of nutrients, but also loosen the soil well due to their developed root system.

If there are signs of nitrogen deficiency in the soil, then one of the legumes should act as a green manure.

Author: Kurchev Anton Deputy Editor-in-Chief

Content
  1. What to do before sowing green manure
  2. What to plant on the plot in autumn