The expert gave advice on preparing cottages and gardens for the winter season.

In autumn, it is important not only to put the house and the plot in order, but also to take care of the garden, tools and equipment that will be out of work for several months. This was announced on October 24 by the head of the brand communications department of STARWIND and Private Labels. Merlion Larisa Zaikonnikova.

After the leaves fall, the crown structure becomes clearly visible, so autumn is suitable for sanitary pruning of trees and shrubs. First of all, dry, broken and damaged branches should be removed. For thin shoots, a pruner or a knot cutter is suitable, and for larger ones, a garden saw or an electric saw.

In most cases, an electric saw with a capacity of 1.5–2 kW is sufficient for gardening. The gasoline model can be used when working with thick, dry branches, however, when choosing a tool, it is important to take into account not only the power, but also its weight and ease of use.

The specialist does not recommend removing large healthy branches unnecessarily in autumn. The larger the cut area, the longer it will take the plant to recover. Stone fruit crops — cherries, cherries, apricots and peaches — should be pruned in the spring if there are no special reasons for autumn work. At the same time, damaged, dry and diseased branches must be removed in advance: the first ones may not withstand the snow load, and the second ones can become a source of infection or a wintering place for pests.

"After work, tools must be cleaned of wood debris and disinfected, especially if diseased branches have been removed. The saw chain should be cleaned, its tension checked and, if necessary, sharpened. Metal surfaces that will be stored for a long time can be treated with a protective compound against corrosion," Zaikonnikova said in an interview with Gazeta.Ru».

Gardening equipment must also be prepared before winter storage. The cutting element and protective casing are checked at the trimmer, and the cultivator is cleaned of soil residues. Rechargeable devices should not be left in a humid and unheated room for the winter: the battery must be removed if required by design and stored according to the manufacturer's instructions.

In gasoline technology, if necessary, fuel is drained, and the air filter and spark plugs are checked. The lawn should not be left too high before winter, and the lawn mower must be cleaned of clinging grass.

At the end of the season, it is also worth visiting the greenhouse. It is necessary to check its frame, fasteners and coating, clean the parts and dry them well before storage. Such measures, as the expert noted, will make it possible to prepare garden tools and equipment for long-term downtime and keep them in working order until the next season.

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On September 9, Evgeny Fedorov, the training manager at Petrovich Training Center, also shared with Izvestia the rules for preparing a country house for the cold. So, he recommended that the owners repair minor damage there, especially paying attention to the condition of the facade and roof of the house, as well as treat all wooden surfaces with a protective compound.