October is not a time for relaxing at the dacha, but an important moment for the future harvest. While some people close up their site and move away, others take one simple step that will reduce weeds by 70% next spring.
You will need coffee grounds. It suppresses the germination of weed seeds, improves soil structure over the winter, attracts earthworms and does not harm cultivated plants, even if you left garlic roots or planted winter dill.
How to use in October:
- Collect the grounds from 5-10 cups of coffee.
- Be sure to dry it, spread it in a thin layer on newspaper or under a canopy.
- Spread a thin layer (3-5 mm) over cleared beds, especially where wheatgrass, chickweed or quinoa grew in summer.
- You can add a layer of straw or shredded leaves on top.
By spring, the grounds will partially rot, enriching the soil with nitrogen and organic matter, and weed seedlings will be rare and weak.
Question and answer:
How to mulch the beds in the fall to prevent weeds?
Good options: coffee grounds, shredded leaves, straw, grass clippings (without seeds) or compost. Coffee grounds are especially effective against small weeds.
What crops should you not put coffee grounds under?
Not recommended for carrots, radishes, parsley and other root vegetables. They need light, neutral soil.
Do I need to dry my coffee grounds?
Necessarily. Fresh grounds can cause mold and attract midges.
