The gardener gave advice on preparing the summer cottage for the season

Spring preparation of a suburban area requires not only harvesting and planting, but also a careful approach to the condition of the soil and plants after winter. On March 31, a plant care specialist from the Profi service told Izvestia about when to start work and what mistakes should be avoided.<url>" by Grigory Zelentsov.

According to the expert, it is worth starting work on the site when a stable plus temperature is established and the main snow cover is gone.

"The main mistake is haste. Many summer residents go out into the garden during the first warm days, but the soil has not yet warmed up, and the plants are at rest. This can lead to damage to the roots and slow growth," he said.

According to Zelentsov, it is worth starting with cleaning the territory. It is necessary to remove last year's foliage, dry branches and debris, but it must be done carefully. It is not necessary to completely clean the area to the "bare ground". Beneficial insects can overwinter in the plant remains, which will help in pest control.

Special attention should be paid to trees and shrubs. In spring, it is important to carry out sanitary pruning: remove dry, damaged and diseased branches. In this case, it is recommended to treat the sections with garden pitch to protect the plants from infections. Preforming pruning is carried out even before the snow completely disappears: some crops are pruned in late winter or early spring — before the sap begins to flow.

Another important step is checking the condition of the soil. After winter, it often becomes dense and does not allow air to pass through. The gardener advises to carefully loosen the top layer without damaging the root system of the plants. It is also appropriate to apply organic or mineral fertilizers in the spring, but strictly according to the instructions. An excess of top dressing is no less harmful than a lack of it.

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Speaking about the "awakening" of plants, the expert noted that you should not immediately water the site abundantly. Watering should be introduced gradually, focusing on weather conditions and soil moisture. Sudden waterlogging can lead to rotting of the roots.

Among the common mistakes of beginners, the specialist highlighted the early removal of the covering material.

"If you open the plants too early, recurrent frosts can damage them. It is better to remove the shelter gradually, allowing the plants to adapt," he explained.

The gardener also warned about the risks of early planting. Sowing and planting of seedlings should be carried out only after the soil has warmed up to the required temperatures. Otherwise, the seeds may not germinate, and the seedlings may die.

The expert also recalled that the key to a successful season is a systematic approach. According to him, it is better to spend a little more time properly preparing the site in the spring than to deal with the consequences of mistakes throughout the summer.

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Nikita Chaplin, a deputy of the State Duma and chairman of the Union of Summer Residents of the Moscow region, said on February 1 that the suburban area requires care all year round, especially in winter, since fires, theft and damage to property are most common at this time.

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