The secret life of winter soil
Candace Godwin
While the garden appears to rest for the winter, an entire community of organisms living in the soil will continue their work.
Photos by Candace Godwin
Soil isn’t just “dirt” holding your plants upright—it’s a living ecosystem filled with bacteria, fungi, earthworms, and countless other organisms.
Photos by Candace Godwin
While moving recently applied leaf mulch to plant shallots, I discovered that tiny soil creatures had already inhabited the layer between the mulch and the compost.
Photos by Candace Godwin
Disease-free plant debris and roots can be left in the garden, where it gradually decomposes. This makes fall chores easier and adds organic matter to the soil.
Photos by Candace Godwin
Fall leaves make a perfect topper to protect the soil from erosion, temperature fluctuations, soil compaction from heavy rains, and suppress weeds.
Photos by Candace Godwin
Earthworms are efficient decomposers of organic matter and produce castings and channels that improve soil structure. When soil temperatures drop, they move deeper into the soil or become less active.
Photos by Candace Godwin
The spent tomato vines have been cleared. Fall carrots have been harvested. The last of the zinnias, some still promising one more blossom, have been cut down; their final blooms grace the dining room table. With a final wheelbarrow of compost and a top layer of shredded leaves, my raised-bed garden is put to bed for the winter. Sleep tight — see you in the spring!
Aboveground, the garden seems finished. But what’s happening beneath the surface?
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