False spring is a deceptive phenomenon that can cause considerable damage to the garden if you do not take the necessary precautions.
While temperatures are starting to soften in March, it may be tempting to take care of your garden. But every year, many gardeners are fooled by this weather phenomenon also called “false spring”, and damage to the garden can be considerable. It is essential to understand this phenomenon to implement good practices. Before you get your hands again in the garden, here is how to avoid these traps and prepare your exterior intelligently.
The “false spring” is an episode of abnormally soft temperatures which occurs at the end of winter or in early spring. It is often caused by high pressure conditions which promote prolonged sunshine and an increase in temperatures during the day. However, these periods of sweetness are often followed by a brutal return of the cold, sometimes with late frosts, jeopardizing plants that started to resume growth.
Gardening enthusiasts, impatient to see their vegetable garden and their mountains reflects, can be tempted to start their sowing and plantations too early. Be careful, this habit has several dangers:
- The weakening of plants: fruit trees, for example, can start to bud earlier than expected. If a cold wave then falls, the buds will be destroyed.
- Water stress: an early increase in temperatures can cause resumption of plant growth, which are starting to draw on their water reserves. A sudden drop in temperatures can then compromise their development.
- Ecological imbalances: pollinating insects can come out of their winter rest too early and find themselves trapped by a return from the cold, jeopardizing the pollination of cultures.
To avoid the inconvenience of false spring, several precautions are to be taken. The best advice: wait until the risk of jelly is ruled out to plant sensitive sowing and plantations, especially for fragile plants such as tomatoes, zucchini or basil. Rather, choose resistant varieties, suitable for changing conditions.
Remember to keep an eye on the weather and regularly check the minimum temperatures to anticipate night frosts. In case of frosts, install wintering sails or bells on young shoots to protect them from brutal cooling. Also think about mulching. A layer of mulch makes it possible to regulate the temperature of the soil and to avoid thermal shocks. Finally, a last piece of advice: avoid early size and wait for temperatures stabilized before intervening.
Despite the dangers of false spring, some cultures thrive under these changing conditions. Among them: small, peas, beans, spinach and rustic lettuce. On the flower side, you can already plant spring bulbs, accustomed to these climatic hazards.