November is not the time to put away your gloves and say goodbye to the dacha. This is the last chance to prepare the site for winter so that in the spring you will not encounter fungus, rot and plant death. It is especially important now to cultivate the soil and cover the plants correctly.
1. Remove all foliage and plant debris
Rake fallen leaves, cut off dry stems, remove everything that remains after harvesting from the greenhouse and beds. Do not compost diseased plants, but burn or remove them. This will remove hiding place for pests and fungi.
2. Spill the soil with a solution of copper sulfate
Take 50 g of copper sulfate per 10 liters of water. Spray the tree trunks of fruit trees, shrubs and empty beds with this solution. This will kill fungal spores, viruses and pest larvae that overwinter in the top layer of soil. This must be done while the soil is not yet frozen.
3. Mulch with ash mulch
After treatment, sprinkle the tree trunk circles with a mixture of wood ash and dry leaves or straw. Ash will provide potassium and protect against fungus, and mulch will protect the roots from sudden temperature changes. Particularly important for raspberries, strawberries, currants and young trees.
These three steps will take one weekend, but will save the garden from diseases that usually appear in April and May. In spring the soil will be clean and the plants will grow strong and healthy.
